Percepción de riesgo y conocimiento popular sobre los caimanes y cocodrilos (Caiman crocodilus y Crocodylus acutus) en diez comunidades rivereñas de la Provincia de Darién, Panamá

Two species of the order Crocodylia inhabit Panama: Caiman crocodilus fuscus (spectacled caiman) and Crocodylus acutus (American crocodile). Over the past 20 years, many of these reptile populations have shown considerable recovery. The increasing population density and coexistence with humans in shared habitats present a conservation challenge, as human-crocodile conflicts tend to escalate. In Panama, specifically in the province of Darién, there are no official records on human-crocodile encounters. The lack of studies on residents’ perception and knowledge regarding the ecology and biology of crocodiles and caimans impedes species conservation efforts. This research aims to qualitatively assess the level of knowledge and risk perception among inhabitants of ten communities in the Province of Darién, who regularly coexist with caimans and crocodiles. This was achieved through the on-site administration of a semistructured survey.During the dry season of 2023, 63 surveys were conducted among adult residents of both genders and various ethnicities in ten locations. All respondents correctly identified the two species of crocodylians based on morphology. Seventy-five percent were knowledgeable about the habitats of each species. Eighty-eight percent were aware of their dietary habits, although 18% incorrectly mentioned that they feed on humans. Only 40% knew the nesting habits of American crocodiles and caimans. Sixty-six percent admitted to consuming caiman or American crocodile meat. Eighty-nine percent engage in daily activities within crocodile habitats. Fifty-five percent reported personal experiences or heard of others encountering issues with American crocodiles or caimans, including five direct attacks on humans within the past five years.