Caiman Research & Conservation French Guiana

Our work on caiman in French Guiana started in 2016 with a first study on Smooth-fronted caiman (Paleosuchus trigonatus) movement ecology and ecotoxicology in Les Nouragues nature reserve. The project soon expanded to all four local caiman species, which includes the Dwarf caiman (Paleosuchus palpebrosus), the Spectacled caiman (Caiman crocodilus), and the Black caiman (Melanosuchus niger). Our research focuses on quantifying mercury contamination related to legal and illegal gold mining activities and its bioaccumulation in caimans. We are interested in the effects contaminants have on caiman physiology and reproduction and the potential impact on individuals and entire populations.

We work at diverse field sites in French Guiana, including several nature reserves, protected areas, legal and illegal mining sites, and peri-urban environments.

Our research encompasses different methodologies such as trace element quantification, evaluation of physiological function, stable isotope analysis, and DNA analysis.

In addition, our mark-recapture data is the first long-term study to contribute to a future assessment of population demographics of caimans in French Guiana.