The dwarf crocodile is considered vulnerable by the IUCN, and it is listed on Appendix I of CITES.
It is a little-known species, so unlike their more studied relatives, conservationists are often not as aware of how their populations are faring under the growing human pressure over the ecosystems where they abide.
Survey data, when available, show some degree of decline, either by hunting for bushmeat or habitat loss due to deforestation.
However, it is a widely spread, and presumably numerous overall.
In some regions the populations remain healthy, but in others (such as Gambia and Liberia) it has seriously declined and may risk extirpation.
Dwarf crocodiles occur in several protected reserves.

Though some skins are used in local manufacturing of leather products, they are of poor quality, so little interest is shown in captive breeding or a sustainable use program.
In contrast, they are sometimes hunted for food and part of the bushmeat trade.

Dwarf crocodiles are widely kept and bred in zoos.
Based on a study of individuals kept in AZA zoos, captives in North America are primarily O. tetrapis  and the possibly unnamed West African species, but there are also some hybrids.
Another study of individuals kept at EAZA zoos revealed a similar picture for Europe, but also that there were a few individuals of the fourth clade (native range in the wild unknown) and a single O. osborni.
The dwarf crocodile is considered vulnerable by the IUCN, and it is listed on Appendix I of CITES. It is a little-known species, so unlike their more studied relatives, conservationists are often not as aware of how their populations are faring under the growing human pressure over the ecosystems where they abide. Survey data, when available, show some degree of decline, either by hunting for bushmeat or habitat loss due to deforestation. However, it is a widely spread, and presumably numerous overall. In some regions the populations remain healthy, but in others (such as Gambia and Liberia) it has seriously declined and may risk extirpation. Dwarf crocodiles occur in several protected reserves.
Though some skins are used in local manufacturing of leather products, they are of poor quality, so little interest is shown in captive breeding or a sustainable use program. In contrast, they are sometimes hunted for food and part of the bushmeat trade.
Dwarf crocodiles are widely kept and bred in zoos. Based on a study of individuals kept in AZA zoos, captives in North America are primarily O. tetrapis  and the possibly unnamed West African species, but there are also some hybrids. Another study of individuals kept at EAZA zoos revealed a similar picture for Europe, but also that there were a few individuals of the fourth clade (native range in the wild unknown) and a single O. osborni.
Dwarf crocodile