The Ministry of Environment (MinAmbiente) has announced the release of Orinoco crocodiles into rivers and wetlands in Colombia. This initiative aims to bolster populations of *Crocodylus intermedius*, which have significantly declined in recent decades. The primary driver of this decline has been commercial hunting. The release program is a critical step toward the conservation of this species, native to the Orinoco River basin and its associated wetlands. MinAmbiente officials state the program will contribute to the ecological balance of these vital ecosystems. Further releases are planned to strengthen the recovery of the Orinoco crocodile throughout its range in Colombia.