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Which crocodilian species are critically endangered?

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Illustration of an estuarine or saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) with its mouth open, showing scaly skin and powerful limbs, alongside a scale bar for size reference. — crocodile Estuarine, or saltwater, crocodile (*Crocodylus porosus*), found in brackish waters from Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar east to the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu and south to Australia.

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), several crocodilian species are currently classified as critically endangered. These species face a high risk of extinction due to factors such as habitat loss, hunting, and environmental degradation.1

The following crocodilians are identified as critically endangered:

Chinese alligator (Alligator sinensis)12
Cuban crocodile (Crocodylus rhombifer)1
Orinoco crocodile (Crocodylus intermedius)1
Philippine crocodile (Crocodylus mindorensis)31
Siamese crocodile (Crocodylus siamensis)1
Slender-snouted crocodile (Mecistops cataphractus)1
Gavial (Gavialis gangeticus)14

Protecting these species is a moral imperative, as their survival depends on the preservation of their natural habitats and the mitigation of human-driven pressures. Conservation efforts, including captive breeding programs and habitat protection, are essential to preventing the permanent loss of these unique reptiles from the wild.124