“Quintana Roo is spearheading the national level in terms of promoting initiatives for the sustainable use and conservation of the swamp crocodile species (Crocodylus moreletii)”, said Biologist Hesiquio Benítez Díaz, General Director of International Cooperation and Implementation in the National Commission for the Knowledge and Use of Biodiversity (CONABIO).
Biologist Hesiquio Benítez Díaz said that after 40 years, for the first time things are done correctly in Mexico, with the first unit that legally works on the breeding of crocodiles through a ranching scheme, “This is a method that far from preying on the hunting, what it does is to promote the reproductive success of the species through bringing nests to incubators so that instead of being predated they have up toa 90% chance of survival for the benefit of the communities and detonating a productive chain of leather of the highest value in the international market.”
The official, who is also the Regional Vice President of the Mexico Chapter before the Group of Specialists in Crocodiles (CSG, for its acronym in English), recognized that Quintana Roo is an example of how things should be done: “Integrating conservation with sustainable use for the benefit of rural communities, indigenous peoples and the active participation of ejidos is something innovative that is recognized nationally and internationally.”
“Even the active participation of women as supervisors is vital for this project which is being carried out in alliance with the private sector, implementing innovative methods and protoclos that could be promoted to breed other species in other places of our country,” the expert continued.
Hesiquio Benitez Diaz
Hesiquio Benítez highlighted the leadership of Governor Carlos Joaquín, by supporting the sustainable use of resources available to Quintana Roo. “We know that it is an issue that interests the country as a whole, and the state government is supporting the project that has generated actions that Mexico that will position Mexico as a leader in reptile conservation at world level”, Benitez added.
He said he was happy with the work that is being developed in Quintana Roo, “To see the government of Quintana Roo, working hand in hand with the Secretariat of Agricultural, Rural and Fisheries Development (SEDARPE) and the Secretariat of the Environment (SEMA) in this type of projects, is an example of how things should be done in this country,” declared the Biologist.
Grateful for the hospitality of Quintana Roo, Benítez Díaz, who is also Head of the Scientific Authority of the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) of Mexico, highlighted the initiative of the State Government and of the local ejidatarios to host the 26th World Meeting of the Group of Crocodile Specialists of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (CSG-IUCN), to be held in 2020 in Chetumal.
TYT Newsroom with information from: laverdadnoticias.com
