Brandon

Widely dispersed throughout Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, and other area of Africa, this species is known to be a main source of protein and a crucial animal at many bush markets. Bush markets are local markets found in highly populated areas in Africa. The skin of the Dwarf Crocodile is known to be very low value and because of that it is rarely used to make products other than those found in local markets. However, due to its small size (hence its name Dwarf Crocodile) the species makes it a easier capture than most creatures for hunters. It is also fairly unaggressive, which allows for easier transport to local markets. It is also sold to restaurants in the city (who put Dwarf Crocodile on the menu) but is illegal to do so. Nevertheless, whether it is been sold in bush meat markets or at restaurants, it is usually how poor families living in forest homes - as well as locals in general attain protein from meat. Though their are many other types of meat Dwarf Crocodile is most popular. It has been studied that because this species is dispersed across many countries, they are “currently not in any immediate danger” though Liberia and Gambia have seen decrease in the species. At any rate, there are areas that the species is hard to reach causing deviation to many hunters but also a lack of survey data. Without such information, the overall status of the species cannot be determined (www.crocodilian.com).