Chinese alligator  (Alligator sinensis)

A survey by the Wildlife Conservation Society in 1999 found the wild population of Chinese alligators to be worryingly low: at 130 to 150 individuals (2). Habitat destruction has been the major cause of this decline, and wetland areas continue to be modified for agriculture in an effort to cope with the intense human population pressure in the region (6). A highly secretive species, spending a long period of time (6 to 7 months) below ground in burrows, the Chinese alligator now primarily exists in populated areas where it inevitably comes into conflict with local farmers. Burrow systems cause drainage problems for fields and alligators also consume ducks owned by farmers (2). Despite a lack of commercial value for the Chinese alligator's skin on the international market, these reptiles are often killed when encountered either through fear or due to a threat to livelihood (2).

In contrast to the decimated wild population, the breeding of captive Chinese alligators has been very successful and the captive population currently exceeds 10,000 individuals (2). The Anhui Research Centre of Chinese Alligator Reproduction (ARCCAR) was established in 1979 and houses captive-bred alligators within 26 small protected reserves (2). Any wild populations that remain are severely fragmented and almost none exist in their natural habitat (2). However, the Chinese government has recently allocated funds to create new habitats with a view to introduce captive-bred alligators into the wild in three other provinces (2). This encouraging step needs the support of local people to make it a success; they will need to be convinced of the worth of living together with this ancient species that may have been associated with the mythical Chinese dragon.