Training staff from ARCAS Rescue Center on how to take measurements and tissue sample from Crocodylus acutus individuals. © Oscar González.

Before 2018, there were no records of C. acutus in Guatemala. In response, Corado-Garcia conducted the first part of a country-wide survey in 2021, focusing on the Caribbean slope in Río Dulce National Park, Sarstoon River, and Bocas del Polochic Wildlife Reserve. Encounter rates were very low, with only 2.13 crocodiles per kilometer on a 56.3 km survey stretch in the Izabal region. Most crocodiles were observed in Bocas del Polochic Wildlife Refuge, where significant anthropogenic impacts affected the species. No crocodiles were observed in Río Dulce National Park or Sarstoon River during this survey, despite reports of higher presence 15 years ago, but sporadic sightings continue in Río Dulce as reported by locals.

In 2024, I conducted surveys on the Southern Pacific slope, which yielded just 0.47 crocodiles per kilometer, representing only two wild populations outside protected areas. This prompts the question about the true distribution of the species across Guatemala. This project aims to conduct a comprehensive national survey of C. acutus, assessing species distributions, population estimates, and threats. The survey will allow us to close distribution gaps in regions such as the Motagua River, protected areas of Izabal, and the Gulf of Mexico in Alta Verapaz, where no previous data exists.

The lack of information limits understanding of local crocodile populations and hinders effective conservation planning. In collaboration with community leaders, NGOs, and government organizations, the project will not only assess the conservation status of these species but also raise awareness about their ecological importance and the need for conservation efforts in Guatemala.