CROCODILE SPECIALIST GROUP NEWSLETTER

A range of topics were covered during the 4-day working
meeting, with oral presentations organized into discrete
sessions: Management Programs; Populations; Genetics;
Disease; Human Dimension; Markets; Conservation;
Reproductive Biology; General Biology; and, Physiology.
A Poster session also saw a diverse range of topics being
covered.
Progress being made with the conservation of the Philippine
Crocodile (Crocodylus mindorensis), one of the world’s
most critically endangered species, was covered by various
presentations, and included issues such as hybridization,
reintroduction, community education, distribution and status.
The two main foci of this work are in northern Luzon and
Mindanao. The late Andy Ross (1953-2011), who inspired
and mentored much of the work now being undertaken in the
Philippines, was honoured through a special presentation given
by Vic Mercado, with additional testimonials by Grahame
Webb, Tom Dacey, Perran Ross and Charlie Manolis. The late
Jack Cox (1952-2010), who collaborated with Andy Ross,
and who contributed significantly to crocodile conservation
in the Asian region, was also honoured.
Working groups were established for the CSG’s Veterinary
Science, Tomistoma Task Force, Industry and Human-
Crocodile Conflict thematic groups, and deliberations are
summarised in the Proceedings. The Crocodilian Capacity
Building Manual working group established in 2010 was
re-convened to progress this issue. Representatives of
most Range States for the Siamese Crocodile (Crocodylus
siamensis), together with researchers and industry members,
met during the course of the meeting, and they have proposed
the establishment of a Siamese Crocodile Task Force to
facilitate and improve communication, and advance common
goals with the conservation and management of this critically
endangered species.
No CSG meeting would be complete without social activities.
The French cuisine lunch hosted by Michel Lacoste on
Tuesday, and the welcome function on Tuesday night hosted
by Protected Areas Wildlife Bureau were enjoyed by all.
The Wednesday night function featuring entertainment by
the Bayanihan Dance Troup, hosted by Crocodylus Porosus
Philippines Inc., was another great success. The closing
ceremony banquet on Friday night, with the CSG Auction,
provided a fitting end to a great meeting.
The auction once again proved popular, with auctioneer Joe
Wasilewski and his team working at a furious pace (Fig. 2).
The record sum of $US5140 was raised, which will go to
crocodile conservation efforts in Benin, West Africa. Thanks
are extended to all those people who contributed items to
the auction, and of course to those who dug deep into their
pockets to buy them.
After considerable deliberation, Matthew Shirley (USA)
was awarded the Castillos Award for his contribution to
crocodilian biology, management and conservation in West
and Central Africa (Fig. 3).
Figure 2. Auctioneer Joe Wasilewski consults with Alvaro
Velasco during the auction. Photograph: Giovanna Webb.
Figure 3. Castillo Award recipient Matthew Shirley (right),
with CSG Chairman Grahame Webb (left) and Freddy
Webb (centre). Photograph: Giovanna Webb.
Following the meeting, participants had the opportunity to go
on tours to the many tourist venues around the Philippines,
including visiting “Lolong”, the largest Saltwater Crocodile
(Crocodylus porosus) in captivity in the world (6.17 m long),
which was captured in Mindanao in 2011.
Tom Dacey, CSG Executive Offier, .
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