Challenges and opportunities for monitoring wild Nile crocodiles with scute mark-recapture photography

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dc.contributor.authorCoetzee, Bernard W. T.en_ZA
dc.contributor.authorFerreira, Sam M.en_ZA
dc.contributor.authorMaciejewski, Kristineen_ZA
dc.date.accessioned2019-10-16T14:10:21Z
dc.date.available2019-10-16T14:10:21Z
dc.date.issued2018-07-19
dc.descriptionCITATION: Coetzee, Bernard W. T., Ferreira, S. M. & Maciejewski, K. 2018. Challenges and opportunities for monitoring wild Nile crocodiles with scute mark-recapture photography. Koedoe, 60(10):a1505, doi:10.4102/koedoe.v60i1.1505.en_ZA
dc.descriptionThe original publication is available at https://koedoe.co.zaen_ZA
dc.description.abstractENGLISH ABSTRACT: The global conservation status of Nile crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus) was last assessed in 1996. The species presents particular difficulty in monitoring because it can be cryptic, require expertise to handle, and caudal tail tags and transmitters are often lost. Some studies advocate mark-recapture techniques based on photograph identification of the unique scute markings of crocodile tails as a non-invasive means of monitoring their populations. Researchers developed this method with crocodiles in captivity. In this study, we test the technique under field conditions by monitoring crocodiles from 2015 to 2017 in the Sunset Dam in the Kruger National Park. Using a Cormack-Jolly-Seber open population model, we found that the dam may host 15–30 individuals, but that there is a high turnover of individuals and much uncertainty in model outputs. The dam’s population thus has high rates of immigration and emigration. The method proved challenging under field conditions, as there was bias in identifying scute markings consistently. The efficient use of the method requires an exceptional quality of photographic equipment. Animal crypsis, however, remains an issue. In this study, we discuss how to improve the mark-recapture photography methodology, especially to adapt the technique for citizen science initiatives. Conservation implications: Using scute mark-recapture photography presents challenges under field conditions. These challenges require innovative, practical and analytical solutions to successfully use the technique before monitoring programmes, aimed at ensuring the persistence of crocodiles in the wild, can be implemented.en_ZA
dc.description.urihttps://koedoe.co.za/index.php/koedoe/article/view/1505
dc.description.versionPublisher's versionen_ZA
dc.format.extent5 pages : illustrationsen_ZA
dc.identifier.citationCoetzee, Bernard W. T., Ferreira, S. M. & Maciejewski, K. 2018. Challenges and opportunities for monitoring wild Nile crocodiles with scute mark-recapture photography. Koedoe, 60(10):a1505, doi:10.4102/koedoe.v60i1.1505en_ZA
dc.identifier.issn2071-0771 (online)
dc.identifier.issn0075-6458 (print)
dc.identifier.otherdoi:10.4102/koedoe.v60i1.1505
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/106656
dc.language.isoen_ZAen_ZA
dc.publisherAOSISen_ZA
dc.rights.holderAuthors retain copyrighten_ZA
dc.subjectGlobal Changeen_ZA
dc.subjectNile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus)en_ZA
dc.subjectNile crocodile -- Photographic identificationen_ZA
dc.subjectMark-recapture photography techniquesen_ZA
dc.subjectAquatic ecologyen_ZA
dc.titleChallenges and opportunities for monitoring wild Nile crocodiles with scute mark-recapture photographyen_ZA
dc.typeArticleen_ZA
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