Crocodilians have recovered from near-extinction through conservation programs, demonstrating that commercial use can support welfare when sustainability frameworks are rigorously applied.
Crocodilian welfare in both wild and farmed contexts requires consideration of their behavioral complexity. Wild crocodilians that become habituated to human presence through feeding are typically euthanized when they approach humans - a welfare outcome preventable through visitor management. Farmed crocodilians for the leather industry are often kept in high-density conditions that cause chronic stress and aggressive injuries. Welfare standards for crocodilian farming remain poorly developed relative to the industry's scale.