size: 5036KB - Crocodile Specialist Group

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Table 2. Ouotas for Ethiopian crocodiles approved by ClTES
Year
R an c.h
ski.rrs
Ha t chl ings
l ive
Hunt ing
trophies
Adul ts
l ive
Curi os from
r an chi ng
Total
1990
19 91
1992
1993
1994
1995
6500
6000
4500
2500
2000
4000
2500
2 500
2500
1000
1000
r000
50
50
50
30
30
30
20
20
20
0
0
0
300 9370
300 s870
't3'70
300
300 3830
300 3330
300 5330
A toLaI of 17,000 ranched skins was approved for export during
L990-1992.
To dale the number of ran('hed skins produced hasi faIIen
fa! short oi thal goa1. Tire first harvest at AMCF occurred in I990
t{hen 2.074 crocodi.le skins were shrpped to Japao. No e:ports took
place in 1991 as a planned harvest was suspended due to lhe marked
drop in international prices for rao salted crocodj.lian skins. The
lack of harvest contributed to a space problem at AMCF and the
rarrch j.s now overcror,rded. Consequently, hatchling collection was
reduc€d in 1991 and ceased 3itogether in I992. Th€- current stock
is about 10,000 animals, of which 4,000 three-to-four year oId
individuals (30-40 cn belly width) are scheduted tor harvesL.
In terms of husbandry, pertormance has left much to be
desjred. survj.vorship of hatchling stock (21,121) durrrig 1985-1990
was only 528 at one year of age. Such mortalj.ty is ulacc,ptable
biologically and econonically in a coninercial ranctring operation.
crowth rates of stock at AMCF have been w;l I beloe t t,at