worldwide network of biologists, wildlife managers, government officials, independent researchers, non-governmental organization representatives, farmers, traders, tanners, fashion leaders, and private companies actively involved in the conservation of alligators, crocodiles, caimans, and gharials in the wild. The group operates under the auspices of the Species Survival Commission (SSC) of IUCN-The World Conservation Union. IUCN is the largest consortium of conservation organizations and agencies in the world with member nations, government agencies, and non-governmental organizations from more than 120 countries. IUCN's role is to promote the conservation and wise use of nature and natural resources. The CSG has 350 members and eight regional subdivisions, each coordinated by a Vice Chairman and Deputy Vice Chairman. The CSG operates from offices in the Florida Museum of Natural History, Gainesville, Florida, USA. Its annual administrative and publishing budget is raised entirely from private donors. The Crocodile Specialist Group is the principal advisor to the SSC, IUCN, and its member bodies on the conservation of all crocodilians. The group provides a network of experts to assess conservation priorities, to develop plans for conservation, and to initiate actions needed for the survival of the world's 23 living species of crocodilians.