Colombian Court Orders Urgent Feeding Plan for Endangered Orinoco Crocodiles

The Penal Chamber of the Superior Court of Villavicencio issued a ruling that obliges Colombian authorities to implement an emergency contingency plan for the Orinoco crocodile (Crocodylus intermedius), a critically endangered species. The court gave the National University of Colombia 48 hours to begin feeding roughly 200 captive individuals that had not received regular food since late 2025 because of administrative disputes among the Ministry of Environment, regional authorities and conservation programs.

The decision also mandates a clear assignment of institutional responsibilities, a feeding schedule, veterinary care and temporary measures while the underlying funding conflict is resolved. The order aims to prevent further deaths and incidents of cannibalism reported among the crocodiles, safeguarding a key component of Colombia’s biodiversity and the genetic bank of the PROCAIMÁN program.