Sunday 05 October 2008, San José, Costa
Rica
Alert For Crocs in
Central Pacific Beaches
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Alert For Crocs in
Central Pacific Beaches
Bathers in the Central
Pacific beaches have now
crocodiles, who have
been prowling the
region, to worry about
when taking a dip in the
ocean water.
According to the latest
reports by residents of
the Central Pacific
beaches, surfers and
authorities, there have
been a number of reports
of crocodile attacks,
especially in the area
of Garabito, Puntarenas,
that include the beaches
at Jacó, Hermosa and
Herradura.
On September 19, 13 year
old Dakota Kilbride,
while surfing playa
Hermosa, got a surprise
when was bitten on the
lag by a two metre croc.
Days before, 19 year old
Bryan Sandí Hernández,
was chased by a
crocodile while surfing
in playa Azul.
These are only two
registered cases, but
autorities and experts
fear there could be more
as swimmers and surfers
could face crocodiles of
up to six metres (more
than 19 feet) long.
Experts say that the
crocs are protecting
their territory which is
being invaded. However,
there are no signs
warning of possible
attacks, nor is there
trained staff at the
local beaches to warn
bathers.
Residents know that
presence of crocodiles
in rio Tárcoles, which
has become a tourist
stop for visitors
travelling to and from
the Central Pacific.
However, the reptiles
aren't concentrated only
under the Tárcoles river
bridge, but are spread
out all over the area.
According to Juan
Bolaños, of the
Asociación de
Especialistas en
Cocodrilos de Costa Rica
(AEC-CR), the reptiles
are in their mating
season and thus become
more aggressive and much
more dangerous than
normal.
Bolaños explained that
the males battle for the
attention of the females
and the losers retreat
to the coastal areas and
are becoming more
frequent at the beaches,
while others head out to
sea seeking out other
rivers, food and if
bothered, especially if
hit by a surf board,
will attack
instinctively.
Juan Sánchez Ramírez ,
coordinator of Áreas
Protegidas del
Ministerio del
Ministerio del Ambiente
y Energía (Minae), says
that humans are not part
of a crocodiles regular
diet and that the
presence of the reptiles
in areas where humans
are is mainly due to the
destruction of their
normal habitat.
Sánchez added that the
Minae is looking for
financial resources to
be able to post signs in
dangerous areas. "We
still haven't found the
money needed", said
Sánchez whose only
recommendation for now
is for people to be "on
alert". |
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Crocodile sunbathing by the
Tárcoles river bridge poses for the tourists. |
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