No. 742                                       Lausanne, 7 May 1993


CONCERNING:


                             COLOMBIA

               Export of Skins of Caiman crocodilus


1. This Notification replaces Notification to the Parties No.  706
   of  21 December 1992.  It has been drafted after receipt by the
   Secretariat  of  additional  information  from  the  Management
   Authority  of  Colombia and after consultation with  an  expert
   recommended by the Steering Committee of the IUCN/SSC Crocodile
   Specialist Group.

2. The size of crocodilian skins or parts thereof, in relation  to
   the  size of the animals from which they originate, is  subject
   to  some  variation, depending on the morphology  of  the  live
   animals,  as  well  as  on the treatment the  skins  have  been
   subjected to.

   In  addition,  and  in order to allow some flexibility  to  the
   breeders  and  tanners, it has been agreed to  accept  in  each
   shipment a percentage of skins or parts thereof slightly longer
   than  the authorized maximum size.  This margin will be granted
   on all parts except tails.

3. The  following  values, which concern skins  or  parts  thereof
   exported by Colombia, are to be considered as absolute  values.
   The  Colombian authorities will not authorize the export of any
   shipment  which departs from these values, and the Parties  are
   requested not to accept any such shipment.

   Full skins

                        Salted     Ž    not less than 80%  of  the
                  skins with a maximum length of 1m 20
                                  Ž    up to 20% of the skins with
                  a maximum length of 1m 25

                        Tanned     Ž    not less than 80%  of  the
                  skins with a maximum length of 1m 25
                                  Ž    up to 20% of the skins with
                  a maximum length of 1m 30

   Flanks

                        Salted     Ž    not less than 80%  of  the
                  flanks with a maximum length of 61 cm
                                 Ž    up to 20% of the flanks with
                  a maximum length of 63 cm

                        Tanned     Ž    not less than 80%  of  the
                  flanks with a maximum length of 80 cm
                                 Ž    up to 20% of the flanks with
                  a maximum length of 86 cm
   These  lengths relate to the large flanks, those which  include
   the  throat  skin.  No lengths are given for the other  flanks,
   those  which do not include the throat skins and are  therefore
   shorter.

   The large difference between salted and tanned flanks is due to
   hydration  rates, the way the flanks are cut and the change  in
   the form resulting in the tanning process.

   Tails

                              Salted  or  tanned     Ž     maximum
                        length 60 cm

   Bellies

                               Salted                Ž     maximum
                        length 45 cm

                               Tanned                Ž     maximum
                        length 50 cm

4. The  Secretariat  urges all Parties to control with  particular
   care the shipments of skins of Caiman crocodilus originating in
   Colombia and to take note of the above information.