Can Palau’s Crocs Be Saved?

There aren't many places in the world where such an encounter is likely to take place. Human encroachment on the natural habitat of saltwater crocodiles and hunting of the reptiles for their skin and meat has reduced the population of crocs to small pockets spread across the Indo-Pacific from a smattering in Vanuatu to an undetermined population in parts of Indonesia.

In Palau, the crocodile is a well-known member of the marine community that has worked its way into traditional legends, become a figure on Palauan storyboards and has etched itself into local history. Yet, little is known about the status of saltwater crocs in this vast island chain of a nation.

A salty pokes its head above water in a remote part of the Rock Islands. Photo: Tim Rock

One man hopes to change that. Joshua Eberdong, Palau's Turtle and Crocodile National Coordinator, has embarked on a lengthy study to find out how the crocs in Palau's 100-mile-long archipelago are doing.

The history of the saltwater croc in Palau is an interesting one that is woven through Ebedong's life. The species is nearing extinction on Palau following a prolonged eradication program through the 1960s into the 1980s.

First reports of crocodile capture date from between 1898 and 1905. But the real push came in 1965, when a local fisherman was killed by a 12 foot 7 inch crocodile on Koror. The croc was subsequently hunted down and found in a cave in nearby Babeldaob.

In 1969, the district government of Palau (then under U.S. administration), granted exclusive rights for three years to an Australian big-game association to hunt crocodiles and sell the skins and remains. A young Joshua Eberdong became involved in this venture and learned the way of the crocs. Tourist hunters and local hunters, including Eberdong, continued to hunt wild crocs for many years. But commercial hunting of the crocs was never a wildly successful venture.

Above: Joshua Eberdong holds a croc destined for his farm in Koror.

Eventually Eberdong realized the plight of the crocs. Just outside of the main town of Koror, he obtained land next to some mangroves, built a pen and went hunting for crocs. But this time he took them alive. By 1991, around 41 animals ranging from three to 11 feet in length were in a large pen. He still runs this small croc facility to this day.

Why protect man-eaters? Actually, like most apex predators, the crocs play a major role within their eco-systems. "When the crocodile swims," says Eberdong, "the claws and the tail scrape the river bottom. This helps water flow in the estuaries keeping the plant life healthy." Other actions from the salties cut old roots and help new roots form, which feeds fish and other animals in the process. The movements of the crocs also help fertilize the mangrove and estuarian areas. And, their hunting keeps certain animal and fish populations in check.

Palau is the only place in Micronesia where saltwater crocs naturally occur. They need broad areas to nest and their eggs must be kept moist throughout the incubation period. The rivers and rich mangrove areas in central Babeldaob, Palau's largest and highest island, are perfect habitat for the crocs. But they also use Palau's marine lakes and estuarian areas in the south around Peleliu as habitat, feeding and breeding areas.

Eberdong is a CITES trained crocodile specialist and he was appointed to take up the torch in 2005 to see just where the Palau population stands. One rough estimate gave the total population at probably less than 150. But small crocodiles have been seen in the Rock Islands near Nikko Bay, and some evidence of recent breeding has been seen by tour guides.

Under funding from U.S. Fish & Wildlife for the crocodiles and NOAA for the sea turtles, Eberdong will do a number of surveys over the next two years to see just what the status of the Palau croc is.

Encountering a croc on scuba is a unique experience.

Some possible scenarios that would favor the crocs would include the national and state governments banning the killing and taking of wild crocodiles, except where they present a danger. This would allow the government to institute setting up of crocodile reserves for on-growing young animals, and licensing trappers to take large animals for breeding on farms.

Eberdong has high hopes for the croc and turtle surveys that will be conducted through 2005 and 2006. And he hopes to survey Palau's endangered dugongs as well. Armed with the facts, a long range game plan can then be hatched by Palauan leaders that will ensure these creatures remain viable and a part of Palauan life, legend and culture for centuries to come.