Cojedes River facts for kids
The Cojedes River (in Spanish, Río Cojedes) is a river in central Venezuela. It's a "tributary," which means it's a smaller river that flows into a larger one. The Cojedes River flows into the Apure River, and the Apure River then joins the mighty Orinoco River.
The Cojedes River starts in the state of Lara. It flows southeast through a gap between two mountain ranges, the Cordillera de Mérida and the Cordillera de la Costa. Then, it crosses the wide, flat grasslands called the Llanos, which are part of the Orinoco Basin. The river helps drain water from parts of several Venezuelan states: Lara, Yaracuy, Portuguesa, Cojedes, Barinas, and Guárico.
Home to the Orinoco Crocodile
The Cojedes River is super important because it's home to the largest group of Orinoco crocodiles (Crocodylus intermedius) in Venezuela, and actually, in the whole world! These crocodiles are very special.
Sadly, the Orinoco crocodile is a "critically endangered" species. This means there are very few of them left, and they are in danger of disappearing forever. To help protect them, parts of the Cojedes River will soon be declared a special wildlife reserve. This will help keep their nesting sites safe.
Helping the Crocodiles
People are working hard to save the Orinoco crocodiles. As part of a special program in Venezuela, young crocodiles are being released into the Cojedes River. These crocodiles are raised in captivity for at least a year. This gives them a better chance to survive when they are set free.
Between 2005 and 2007, 361 young crocodiles were released into the Cojedes River. The goal is to make the crocodile population stronger and help them reproduce more in the wild. This effort is happening in the Cojedes River and other places in Venezuela to make sure these amazing creatures continue to thrive.
