Currently numbering less than 130 individuals, wild populations of Chinese alligators are currently relegated to a few drainage ditches and farm ponds in China's Anhui Province, with their numbers continuing to decline as much as six percent annually. The three released animals came from an alligator breeding center. Scientists equipped each individual with a radio transmitter to track its movements.
The team, which included members of WCS, Anhui Forest Department, and East China Normal University, chose a site called Hong Xin, a 20-acre artificial lake used for rice and tea farming. The pond already contains a few individual alligators, and biologists are hopeful that release of the new animals will increase breeding opportunities.
"This is an experimental release designed to see how feasible it will be to use captive-reared alligators for future reintroduction programs," said WCS conservationist Dr. John Thorbjarnarson. "It will also help scientists understand more about the behavior and ecology of this species, and how resident alligators may adapt to the presence of new animals."
The Chinese alligator, known locally as Tu Long, or "muddy dragon," is one of just two alligator species in the world, having diverged from their American counterparts at least 20 million years ago. They reach lengths of about six feet -- only half the size of American alligators -- and feed on small fish, snails, crayfish. Among crocodilians, the Chinese alligator is the most endangered, followed by the Philippine, Siamese, Cuban and Orinoco crocodiles. WCS is currently working to protect all five species.