Providing appropriate environments and care for crocodilians in zoological settings.
Crocodilian welfare in captivity has historically received less attention than charismatic mammals, despite the species' complex physiological and behavioral needs. The ectothermic thermoregulation requirements of crocodilians mean that temperature management is a critical welfare issue - insufficient thermal gradient prevents normal thermoregulatory behavior. The species' capacity for complex social interaction, including the maternal care shown by some species, is rarely expressed in zoo settings. Conservation programs for critically endangered species including the gharial provide welfare justification for captive holding when managed with appropriate expertise.