Demographic skew and market dynamics reveal unsustainable trade and conservation risks of the West African dwarf crocodile

The West African dwarf crocodile (Osteolaemus tetraspis), classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN and listed under CITES Appendix I, is increasingly threatened by unregulated trade and habitat degradation. This study investigated the trade dynamics of the species across Delta and Edo States, Nigeria, focusing on market structure, trade routes, seasonal trends, and size-class composition. Market surveys, semi-structured interviews, and ecological observations were employed to examine trade dynamics of the West African dwarf crocodile from 2019 to 2021 identified nine key markets, with Ugbenu emerging as the primary hub, recording 1,818 individuals over 105 market days. Trade was dominated by mid-sized, sexually mature crocodiles (101-120 cm), while juveniles (0-20 cm and 21-40 cm) were scarcely represented, suggesting depletion of older cohorts. The trade is economically motivated and gendered, with middlewomen controlling over 80% of market flow, sourcing from remote riverine communities. Hunting methods included wire traps, baited hooks, and burrow excavation, raise ecological and welfare concerns. Findings highlight unsustainable exploitation and underscore the need for urgent conservation measures, including legal enforcement, harvest regulations, and community-based monitoring aligned with CITES and IUCN guidelines.