Natalia A Rossi (ELP 2021) | Cuba Country Manager, Wildlife Conservation Society, Argentina
Two species of crocodiles inhabit the coasts of the Cuban archipelago in the insular Caribbean: the coastal and widespread American crocodile, and the endemic and critically endangered Cuban crocodile. Cuban crocodiles are a rarity. Once occurring across the islands of the Greater Antilles – now they can only be found in a relatively small area within the extensive Zapata Swamp National Park in southern Cuba. Known for its unique curiosity, ferocious jump, strong posture when on land, and dragon looking “horns”, the Cuban crocodile is a cultural icon in the country and attracts nature-lovers from around the world. Its fragile conservation status has resulted primarily from their indiscriminate hunting for skins until the 1950s, habitat fragmentation, historical and current interbreeding with the American crocodile, and, more recently, poaching for meat. Only 90 miles away from Cuba, American crocodiles are found in the southern tip of Florida – mainly between southern Biscayne Bay and Cape Sable in the Everglades National Park – with an estimate of 2000 crocodiles left.
Most of what we know today about these crocodiles is a result of years of collaborations, friendships, and shared goals among crocodile conservation scientists and practitioners in Cuba and the United States – despite the numerous difficulties imposed by the extremely complex bilateral relationships. I met one of them when I joined the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Latin America and Caribbean Program in 2009; when my extremely supportive boss, mentor, and role model, Dr. Avecita Chicchon, introduced me to the world-renowned crocodile expert John Thorbjarnarson (“John T” or “Juan Caiman”, as we used to call him) and suggested that I join his conservation efforts for the crocodiles of Cuba. Even though for most people swamps and crocodiles may not be the most attractive combination, for me this project was the opportunity of a lifetime. The journey, however, started with the sudden loss of John T. After contracting malaria while working in the field in Uganda – our beloved John T passed away only a few weeks later. Left with his incredible legacy and conservation ideas, I embarked on what would be my first of many trips to Cuba, to explore its coastal wetlands and its crocodiles.
Photo credits to Gustavo Sosa Rodriguez.
Working in the coastal wetlands of Cuba, I thoroughly understood the connection between crocodiles and coastal mangroves. As top predators, crocodiles are not only critical for keeping the food chain in check but are also true ecosystem engineers that shape and help maintain mangrove forests through excavating massive underwater caves and canals, which create water dynamics and essential micro-habitats that support a rich diversity of species, many of economic importance for fisheries. Besides, canals are vital for mangroves to disperse and populate other areas. For instance, after hurricanes strike, canals facilitate mangrove dispersal and regrowth. In a way, the fate of Cuba’s extensive mangrove systems is strongly connected to the survival of its crocodiles. Even as the magnificent lessons from nature were all around, I was astounded about the quality, passion and commitment of Cuban researchers and protected area workers. After driving two days, riding four hours in the back of a tractor (tractor that we shared with an entire town coming and going to work), and navigating in a small boat for a few more hours, I got to the stunning Wildlife Refuge Monte Cabaniguán in southeastern Cuba where I would conduct my research and where American crocodiles nest and are found by the thousands (all 20,000 of them!). On my first day in the field, the then Director of the Wildlife Refuge, Dr Manuel Alonso Tabet (“Manolito”), one of the most knowledgeable crocodile behavioral experts in the world, told me “Nature is the best school you will ever find”. Like Manolito, I never ceased to meet passionate, committed Cuban conservationists that would dedicate their lives to understanding and conserving nature. Sadly, we also lost my dear friend and mentor Manolito due to Covid-19 just recently. Ninety miles away, I would have the same experience with American researchers, crocodile conservationists, and protected area workers of the Everglades National Park, and we would all meet and work together whenever possible (in Wetland Symposiums, IUCN Crocodile Specialist Group Meetings, etc.).
The ecological connectivity between Cuba and the United States is striking. Especially coastal marine ecosystems which encompass a single seascape with many shared species. This also happens above sea level, when migratory birds from the Northeastern United States arrive in Cuba to wait out the winter. The connection among scientists and protected area workers of both countries has been fluent and organic. This reached its pinnacle during the “golden years” of scientific collaboration when the Obama Administration re-established diplomatic relationships with Cuba, and, among many other achievements in the environmental field, a Twinning Agreement was signed between the Zapata Swamp and Everglades National Parks. Our shared passion for protecting crocodiles (and so many other species and ecosystems) in Cuba and the United States helped us overcome differences and create a blueprint for environmental collaboration. I wholeheartedly believe this blueprint will be one to follow to collectively overcome the environmental challenges of our lifetimes and beyond.
