Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I know USFWS has a few changes in the works

1. Downlist the ESA status of Crocodylus acutus from Endangered to threatened, at least the US population

2. special rule for Caiman latirostris making ranched specimens from Argentina threatened on the ESA much like the special rule for nile croc, saltwater croc and yacare caiman

Anyone have any further details or know the currant status of these changes, Im sure it will be a couple years before anything is final but its nice to keep up on these things.

I contacted the USFWS Officers that are woking on the ESA draft proposals, once I hear from them I will update the forum.

These changes should have no changw as far as the pet trade goes, but these changes will be a very positive step forward as far a crocodilians go, and it will make itmuch easier to acquire these species for exhibit and educational purpose.

Many authorities on acutus, have voiced their comments to USFWS. The comment period deadling was back in May 2005. You can search the Federal register listings to find it, but I don't know if they publish the comments. Some researchers have simply told me they advised against the downlisting.

MCH

Well, I wasnt able to get much info but I have confirmed that they (USFWS) are at this point working on lowering morelet's crocodiles and broad snouted caimans status on the ESA to threatened.

the USA population of american crocodile being lowered to threatened is also also still being concidered.

this will all probably take a couple years but never the less this is good news