Due to the rains that have fallen in the region the last two weeks, in addition to the discharges of the aquifer mantle to the “ojos de agua” located along the coastal area, as well as the decrease in the salinity of the sea in this zone, large crocodiles take the opportunity to venture into areas where they usually do not hang about. One of these disoriented animals was spotted in the Port of Telchac during the weekend.
This situation caused a big sensation in social networks, after a user uploaded a video where a big reptile can be observed “walking” through the area “without any inconvenience”, and generated dozens of comments about the fear of visiting the place due to the presence of this animal.
However, the Federal Office of Environmental Protection (Profepa), informed that inspectors went to verify that the specimen is not at risk and that in turn does not represent danger for hundreds of vacationers in the coastal zone.
#CirculaEnRedes Un cocodrilo fue captado nadando en las aguas en el puerto de abrigo de Telchac. #DYInforma pic.twitter.com/SkLKnHWF7d
— Diario de Yucatán (@DiariodeYucatan) 23 de julio de 2018
The federal agency reported that these animals frequently observe adaptive behaviors to search for new feeding and displacement sites. They recommended not to throw leftovers or fish to the crocodiles, because this action can modify their natural behavior and they could start seeing humans as “food providers”.
When a specimen of a species becomes a threat for the population, it corresponds to the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat), to manage and control any situation of this nature.
The Secretary of Urban Development and Environment (Seduma), informed that the species of Cocodrilus Moreletty predominates in Yucatan, although the species known as Cocodrilus Acutus also lives in regions adjoining with the Gulf of Mexico, as well as in Florida, and Central and South American countries.
Sources:
- SIPSE
- Diario de Yucatán
