THE BLACK caiman (Melanosuchus niger) is a carnivorous reptile with black, scaly skin. It can grow up to 13 – 20 feet in length and lives along slow-moving rivers and seasonally flooded savannahs of the freshwater habitats of South America. Its conservation status is listed as “Conservation dependent.”The black caiman mainly feeds on fish, water birds, capybara and occasionally domestic animals. Black Caimans have a life expectancy of 50 – 80 years.

This research covers the movement, tracking, habitat preference and feeding patterns as they overlap with human activities and fishing patterns.  This would provide much needed information that may lead to less human/caiman conflict.

This is the first ever study of the endangered black caiman movement patterns, and is being funded by the National Geographic Society for one year, with additional funding from the Farfan & Mendes Group and STIHL for an additional year.  The additional year would allow for long-term caiman movement data to be gathered.  Such information will be vital in understanding and conserving Guyana’s Black Caiman population.

Persons employed to do the tracking come from the community, therefore the research yields both scientific and economic benefits.

For more information see:
https://www.facebook.com/Rupununi-Learners-101835906568719/
http://rupununilearners.org/black-caiman-research/