Human Dimensions Study

Perceptions and tolerance of American crocodiles and their management by South Florida residents

The American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) is a federally and state protected species classified as Threatened by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the State of Florida, however its population has increased since gaining legal protection in 1975. Concurrently, the number of reported human-crocodile conflicts has also increased, similar to known conflicts surrounding other large (typically terrestrial) predators recovering from historic population declines. Although biology and ecology are the foundation of effective wildlife management strategies, human dimensions need to be considered to generate realistic and attainable conservation objectives. In 2021, we used a survey to better understand how South Florida residents perceive American crocodiles and their management.

Stay tuned to learn about our findings!