Local knowledge on crocodylus acutus (Reptilia: Crocodylidae) in coastal zone of Colima, Mexico

Colima’s coastal zone local knowledge about crocodiles was studied utilizing semi-structured interviews. These interviews were divided into five sections: biological knowledge of the species, human-crocodile interaction, attacks by crocodiles, exploitation, as well as general perception. Information was analyzed using each section’s answers percentage. Thirty interviews were done, of which 25 participants were men and five were women. 40 % of all participants were dedicated to fishing activities, 34 % to touristic services, 10 % trading, 7 % mechanical workshop workers, 3 % to fish farming, 3 % were ranchers and 3 % elementary school teachers. Although total participants know the crocodiles less than 50 % have a biological knowledge of the species. Interest in utilizing the species as a tourist attractive by the locals was shown, which would help promote crocodile conservation in the area, and though participants’ opinion is positive, a sense of resource appropriation was not detected. We propose capacitation and awareness to groups that works or live around of the lagoons to establishing integrational conservation plans and management processes that help to conservation of crocodiles in the area.