Chinese 'dragon' nears extinction, biolo...( ns are hard-wired to repopulate rather ...)

ns are hard-wired to repopulate rather quickly if given the chance," said Thorbjarnarson, noting successful restorations in India, Nepal, and Venezuela. "The key is to protect their habitat. In terms of captive breeding, the Chinese have taken the conservation of the alligator very seriously, but habitat protection has not really been addressed."

The report recommends an inventory of all suitable habitats within Anhui Province where Chinese alligators and other species could be re-established as part of an overall plan for wetlands conservation. There are several other provinces where alligators once occurred that need to looked at as well, said Thorbjarnarson.

One of just two alligator species in the world, Chinese alligators are believed to have diverged from their American counterparts at least 20 million years ago. They reach lengths of about six feet -- only half the size of American alligators -- and feed on small fish, snails, crayfish. Among crocodilians, the Chinese alligator is the most endangered, followed by the Philippine, Siamese, Cuban and Orinoco crocodiles. WCS is currently working to protect all five species in the wild.

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Contact: Stephen Sautner
ssautner@wcs.org
718-220-5197
Wildlife Conservation Society
9-Feb-2000

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