A Symbol of the Llanos Waters
The Orinoco crocodile, or caimán llanero (Crocodylus intermedius), is one of the largest crocodilian species in the world. Individuals can reach up to seven meters in length and are found exclusively in the rivers and streams that feed the vast Orinoco River basin in Colombia and Venezuela.
Key to Wildlife
The presence of the Orinoco crocodile helps sustain a wide array of nutrients that nourish life in many of the rivers of the Orinoco basin. These same nutrients are part of the diet of numerous fish species that also inhabit the region’s waters. At the end of the chain, this natural process strengthens and supports fish production, directly benefiting the rural communities that depend on it for their livelihoods.
Two More Roles
The Orinoco crocodile feeds on other animals that share its habitat, helping to regulate the size and balance of those populations. Additionally, Crocodylus intermedius uses its powerful tail to stir up sediments that accumulate at the bottom of rivers and streams. In doing so, it helps prevent these water bodies from becoming clogged, thus preserving their capacity to store and transport water—an essential role in the health of these aquatic ecosystems.
A Giant Under Threat
At the beginning of the last century, scientists estimated that the wild population of Orinoco crocodiles may have reached nearly three million individuals, spread across some 600,000 square kilometers of Colombian and Venezuelan territory. However, by the mid-1900s, indiscriminate hunting for their valuable hides caused a dramatic decline, pushing the species to the brink of extinction.
Recovery Efforts
WCS and the Palmarito Foundation are working to restore this species through the reintroduction of individuals into rivers, streams, and lagoons connected to the Tomo River. This waterway flows near El Tuparro National Natural Park, in the department of Vichada. Its waters ultimately empty into the mighty Orinoco River.
Traslated with AI support