At the Orinoco River in Venezuela, staff release Orinoco crocodiles, which swiftly disappear into the water. This species, native to Venezuela, is among the largest crocodiles in the world, reaching lengths over 6 meters and weights exceeding 400 kilograms.

Due to the demand for their meat and leather, poaching is rampant, with fewer than 100 Orinoco crocodiles remaining in the wild. A group of biologists have initiated a restoration project, spending time in their habitat to collect crocodile eggs. They are collaborating with zoos to artificially incubate the eggs and care for the hatchlings until they are around one year old before releasing them back into the wild.

Zoo director Pantin noted, “We started cooperating with research institutions initially to assist with releases, and later began breeding at the zoo.” However, achieving successful recovery requires racing against time, as the crocodiles may fall prey to poachers after returning to their habitats.

Biologist Hernandez stated, “The issue remains that people hunt them for food and even eat their eggs. Even if we successfully breed crocodiles, the pressure from hunting persists.” Venezuela’s unique situation complicates conservation efforts, as many experts have left due to political pressure, and many rural residents resort to hunting wildlife out of poverty. Nevertheless, for many staff members, observing the growth of these creatures and their return to nature is a remarkable experience. Despite the limited impact of these efforts, they remain committed to protecting these animals as best as they can.