List of endangered animals also include alligators because these animals were being used to attract tourists. They were treated like circus animals which led to the decline in their numbers. But this is just one of the causes for alligators being declared as endangered animals from the waters. There are other equally distressing causes.

For example, the skin of the alligator is used to make belts, bags, wallets, and shoes. They are sold at high prices because alligator skin is deemed to be a luxury raw material. It’s even more so now that the animal has been included as one of the endangered species of the world.

While all these commercialism was ongoing, not many considered the dire prospect of a dwindling population. That is, until the numbers started to become alarming.

More than 80 years ago, E.A. Mcllhenny who wrote the book The Alligator’s Life History made a landmark decision to bequeath coastal marshland in Louisiana to the wildlife agencies and the government. His only request was that the land be used to generate income for wild life. This shifted the tides for alligators because the right farming methods were developed to bring up the population of alligators and crocodiles.

Part of the land became home to the Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge. It’s a part of the land that is perfect as a natural habitat for alligators because of its oil content. Alligator management began to form and ultimately become a significant contributor in sustaining and breeding alligators.

Somewhere along the way, the gears shifted and this farm became more known for commercial farming. Instead of capturing wild alligators, the farm opted to nest domestic alligators. It was more economical this way. Instead of a 10 year period, it took only 6 years for a commercially raised alligator to be ready for babies.

It’s still a skin trade with more than 13 alligator farms in the state of Louisiana alone. The current number of alligators in these farms number about 21,000. There are strict control measure for how many alligators can be used for the skin trade.

There are other alligator and crocodile farms that raise crocodiles for the sole purpose of releasing them to protected areas. These farms are oriented for non-commercial purposes but do have skin products as a means to sustain their operations. However, the prerequisites for using alligator skin is very stringent and well documented. Most farms like these prefer to known as alligator banks or rehabilitation projects.