Little-known pygmy Nile crocodile found in new areas of Uganda

CROCODILE SMILE: Carol Bogezi with a pygmy Nile crocodile. Picture: WCS

Research team continuing acclaimed work of WCS expert who died from malaria

February 2012: A Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) field team working in a Ugandan national park is finding new areas containing one of the least-known crocodilians in Africa – the pygmy Nile crocodile.

The team of Ugandan researchers, trained by the late John Thorbjarnarson, a noted WCS crocodilian expert, is conducting population surveys of these poorly understood crocodiles in Uganda's Kidepo Valley National Park. The research will add to the knowledge of this species in the Kidepo landscape and will improve crocodile conservation in Uganda.

Unique population of a distinct species
The WCS research team reports that, along with finding new sites, they have found evidence of young crocodiles in new areas. Pygmy Nile crocodiles were only reconfirmed as still present in Uganda in 2009 and their conservation status remains unknown.

In 2011, scientists led by Matthew H. Shirley of the University of Florida discovered that these pygmy Nile crocodiles are actually a unique population of a distinct crocodile species distributed throughout West Africa - not just a smaller race of the more common Nile crocodile as previously believed.

'It is an honour to continue John's work'
Thorbjarnarson, together with Shirley, trained Ugandan conservationists prior to his death a year ago from malaria aged just 52. The renowned crocodile expert worked in 30 countries over his career to conserve and protect crocodilians.

‘It is an honour to continue John's work in Uganda to protect the pygmy Nile crocodile,' said Carol Bogezi, a WCS field coordinator in Uganda. ‘John trained us on how to survey and handle crocodiles and we apply what he taught us every day.'

With the generous support of John Thorbjarnarson's family, WCS has established a memorial fund in John's honor to promote the conservation of the world's endangered crocodilians.