09/06/2023
Birds weren’t the only animals displaced by the storm the other day! This cutie pie was resort-hopping, seemingly lost after the expanded water ways receded. First she said hello to the staff at Victoria House then she popped over to Alaia where she found some sargassum to sun bath on. While in scenarios like this we just let people know that the croc is likely just passing through, the staff were concerned for her health. We gave her a quick exam and confirmed that she was in tip-top condition for a juvenile and that night she was released back in her home habitat.
Seeing crocs is nothing to be alarmed about. We share this environment with them and so long as we follow a few rules, safely coexisting with crocs is simple and attainable. Here are a few habits you, your kids, and your neighbors should practice to keep our community conflict-free:
1. Keep your distance. Enjoy crocodile sightings from afar. Using binoculars is the best way to get a close-up look without disturbing or harming the animal.
2. Never EVER feed a crocodile. Crocodiles of Belize naturally fear humans and typically choose to flee when approached, but feeding crocs teaches them to lose that fear. This action puts ALL community members and our pets at risk.
3. Do not allow your pets to free-roam. Pets allowed to roam free run the risk of becoming part of the food chain. Crocs naturally consume animals like raccoons and rats, so dogs and cats can fall victim if not protected.
4. If you live near water, exclude crocodiles from entering your space by putting up a fence or barrier that prevents them access.
5. Clean fish away from swimming areas and homes. While cleaning fish, you may not mean to attract and feed a crocodile but the result is the same. Take food scraps far from these areas to not attract any unwanted visitors.