With rising demand, hunters turned to more lethal methods. Although hides have the highest commercial value, crocodiles are also killed for their meat and other parts. Wherever they occur, crocodile meat is a part of the diet of local people. In addition, many cultures seek crocodile oil or fat for medicinal use. In Madagascar crocodile oil is prescribed for a wide variety of complaints, including burns, skin ulcers, and cancer.
Crocodile fat is important in Asian medicines for treatment of asthma.
Similar uses have been reported in South America and in the Caribbean islands of the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Its small size and nocturnal habits have been the saving grace of the dwarf crocodile until now. The dwarf crocodile has not been exploited as heavily as the larger Nile crocodile, which basks in the sun and is easily hunted by day. As more accessible species become scarce, however, poaching pressure shifts to species that are harder to catch. Habitat Loss Habitat loss continues to threaten crocodiles, most notably by drainage and filling of wetlands and diversion of water for irrigation.