Animal Species 

The Spectacled Caiman (Caiman crocodilus)

CHOMP! Introduction to the Spectacled Caiman.

Yes! Spectacled caimans can be found in Trinidad and Tobago.

The picture above shows a Spectacled Caiman (Caiman crocodilus) ambassador taken from the Reptile Conservation Centre of Trinidad and Tobago.

One of the smallest species is the Cuviers Dwarf Caiman, which can be found in small numbers in south west Trinidad.

They feed on birds, frogs, crustaceans, fish, and other animals. Wild caimans ambush and clamp down prey before crushing bones and flesh using their massive jaws. The reptiles have undergone minimal evolutionary change for the past 30 million years and still possess the same skills and features as their ancestors. Caimans play a vital role in maintaining the balance of an ecosystem. Ecological Value Of Caimans

Caimans are essential in maintaining the diversity and productivity of wetlands. They maintain a healthy aquatic population by eating ailing fish, thus allowing healthy ones to regenerate and grow without competition or the risk of contradicting diseases. They also regulate and prevent the dominance of a single fish species. Caiman droppings serve as nutritious food for fish.

Ecologists argue that the extinction of caimans could disrupt ecological processes and damage the ecosystem.

Wetlands in Trinidad can suffer from pollution, oil spills, flow modification, habitat degradation, invasive species, and over-exploitation. Caimans in these ecosystems can die of starvation or migrate to other regions. Conservationists began educating the local people on the importance of caimans, arguing that their excrement can act as fertilizer and food for fish.

Nature’s Garbage Disposal

Caimans and other members of the Crocodilian family have a ferocious digestive system that is immune to bacteria, viruses, and microbes. Research has revealed that the reptiles are resistant to HIV. This immunity and their ferocious eating habitats make caimans the guardians of the freshwater ecosystem. They feed on every part of a prey preventing flesh from decaying and spreading harmful infections. Caimans can recover from unimaginable injuries that would be fatal to humans and other animals. So many of these animals exist without missing legs and deep scars in their bellies Despite their resistance to natural infections, caimans are vulnerable to human activities and chemicals. They are extremely sensitive to fertilizers, pesticides, and pollutants, making them an early-warning system to excessive pollution.

FUN FACT! Caimans can lay between 20 to 60 eggs!!

"MILLY" The Military Macaw

LET’S INTRODUCE YOU TO OUR SPECTACULAR SURVIVOR MILITARY MACAW

‘MILLY’

This picture above of the beautiful Ambassador Milly the Military Macaw was taken from the Reptile Conservation Centre of Trinidad and Tobago.

Military Macaws are usually noisy so they can be heard a distance before they are even seen. They usually measure about 65- 80 centimeters in length. They can be found in the rainforests of Mexico and South America. They nest at the very top of trees in the rainforest. Females can lay one to two eggs. Military Macaws reach sexual maturity approximately two to four years.

There are 3 subspecies, they can be differentiated based on their location

• Ara militaris militaris

• Ara militaris mexicana

• Ara militaris boliviana

They feed on food like seeds, fruits, nuts, and berries. Also, they eat vegetations that they find on trees in the rainforests.  

A BIT ABOUT MILLY’S STORY

Milly is a Military Macaw (Ara Militaris). They are a member of the macaw family. She is not a native species of Trinidad and Tobago. Milly along with many other macaws were seized from smugglers by the Wildlife Section of the Forestry Division in 2014 and were given to the RCCTT to nurture. Milly along with the other macaws were knocking on death's door when they were seized from the smugglers. They were all in horrid states upon arrival.  Seven years later Milly is the only survivor from that batch that got seized. The others were too far gone! Since 2014 Milly became an RCCTT ambassador to educate the public about not only about the macaw species but also highlight the illegal wildlife pet trade as well. The illegal wildlife trade has had a traumatic impact on Milly and her fallen comrades.

CONSERVATION STATUS

  The population of the Military Macaws have been decreasing over the years. The two major reasons are increase in deforestation and illegal wildlife trade.  One of the reasons can be seen in Milly’s story where it highlighted the increased in illegal wildlife trade has drastic affects on their survival. The animals’ health is not taken into consideration because the people involved just think ‘how can I make a quick buck and the animals sadly just deal with the consequences of that manner thinking.

FUN FACT

MILITARY MACAWS CAN LIVE FOR 50-60 YEARS!!!!