AREAS OF INTERACTION BETWEEN HUMANS AND CROCODILES (Crocodylus acutus Cuvier) IN CHACAHUA, OAXACA, MÉXICO

Abstract

Potential areas for the prevention of conflict between humans and the American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus Cuvier) were determined, in the Lagunas de Chacahua National Park, Oaxaca, México (PNLCh), based on estimating the abundance and meeting rate, connecting fishing activities, essentials and schedules, as well as the number of crocodile nests and types of organisms based on their size, in three areas of the Park with presence of human settlements. The highest crocodile abundance was seen in the Palmarito Lagoon, while the Varaquebrada-Las Salinas (VQ-LS) sector showed dominance of organisms of classes IV and III, probably as a reflection of the region because it is a natural protected area. The Palmarito and VQ-LS lagoons are the fishing areas for residents of the Zapotalito and Chacahua communities; driftnet and free diving are the most frequent fishing arts among fishermen in this region; therefore, three potential risk areas were determined between humans and crocodiles in the PNLCh.