A preliminary study on the population and habitat of saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) in Timor Island, East Nusa Tenggara

Abstract

Abstract The information on the population size and habitat condition of the Saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) in East Nusa Tenggara is unavailable. The present paper discusses preliminary data on population and habitat characteristics of the Saltwater crocodile in three conservation areas in Timor island, namely Teluk Kupang Marine Nature Tourism Park, Menipo Nature Tourism Park, and Maubesi Mangrove Forest Nature Reserve. Spotlight surveys and vegetation analyses were carried out in each location. The crocodile encounter rate was calculated as individuals detected per km surveyed. The encounter rates in Teluk Kupang, Menipo, and Maubesi were 0.3 crocodiles/km, 0.4 crocodiles/km, and 0.6 crocodiles/km, respectively. Hatchlings, juveniles, and adult saltwater crocodiles were found in Maubesi, and only hatchlings were found in Menipo. Hatchlings were found in paddy fields, and adults were found in mangroves, estuaries, and rivers. Mangrove densities in Teluk Kupang, Menipo, and Maubesi were 127 trees/ha, 124 trees/ha, and 186 trees/ha, respectively. These are the first systematic surveys in the areas studied, and additional work is needed to characterize the population and habitat of the saltwater crocodile in East Nusa Tenggara.</jats:p