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Joined: Oct 1999
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Marty Offline OP
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Called to Ambergris by San Pedro Police, ACES captured a 12 foot problematic crocodile that has been spotted under DFC homes because of trenching activities in the area. The croc called 'Satan' by locals has been regularly fed illegally for years as a tourist attraction. Now that acres of red mangrove, wetland, critical, crocodile habitat has been destroyed due to trenching activities, American Crocodiles (a protected species) are on the move searching for new territories. Now closer than ever to families homes, residents in DFC have been living in fear of one of these crocs taking a pet, or worse yet and very possible, a child. It was unbelievable how bold and fearless this particular croc was behaving. It has been fed so often that it actually associated the golf cart with a means of obtaining a meal. The croc will now be re-located to southern Belize and held in captivity at the American Crocodile Education Sanctuary (ACES). A croc population study should have been performed prior to trenching to determine what areas needed to remain intact for croc habitat and nesting, and to buffer homes from dangerous croc intrusions. Right now large females are extremely dangerous because they are gravid with eggs and are beginning to search for potential nesting areas. If the development continues and dredging follows through April, it is undetermined how many nest site may end up being destroyed. American Crocodiles are in danger of becoming extinct with only an estimated 10,000 to 20,000 left Worldwide. The reason they seem so plentiful here on the island is because Belize is one of the last strongholds for this modern day dinosaur. ACES has rescued over 30 crocodiles country-wide and has rehabilitated and re-released 10 crocs last year. This croc will have to remain in captivity or otherwise be killed. ACES is in need of finishing a new secured habitat for Croc George, a large rouge male that has killed other rescued crocs at the facility. Chances are, being it is mating season, George may try to kill Satan. Trouble is, it is Satan's only chance at this point so we have to try. The sooner ACES can obtain funding to finish the much needed new croc habitat, the better the chance for Satans survival. Croc Satan has been re-named 'Clint Crocwood,' and although captivity is his fate, it is imperative to save as many of these American Crocs as possible. Researchers come to ACES to study the crocs as well as local school groups and tour guides. ACES teaches them all about these amazing reptiles and how to safely co-exist with them. Crocodile blood has been found to kill HIV and Herpes simplex in laboratory studies. At ACES we have the means of obtaining blood samples whenever needed. Please help with a tax deductible donation today. Go to www.americancrocodilesanctuary.org and Help Take a Bite Out of Extinction! Documented by the San Pedro Sun Newspaper, Belize.


Joined: Dec 2006
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Really sad the loss of the mangroves is more than just displaced crocs. Were being sold out by the town boards greed and shortsightedness. The dominoes will start to fall and the entire reason for coming to the island will die.


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A bit negative for you, Elbert. Cold getting to you?

Not that you're wrong, mind.

Joined: Oct 1999
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Marty Offline OP
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The first nine foot croc was captured Friday afternoon near the DFC area south of San Pedro.

The croc was then located to a holding area until transport could be arranged.

The second croc, a very aggresive 12 foot male was captured around midnight on Friday in the same area.

Both crocs were contained to a holding area until they can be transported to ACES on Monday.

This video displays how bold these animals have become.
Video provided by The San Pedro Sun

ACES was called by the San Pedro Police to remove a crocodile south of town that was about to be shot. The croc was residing under a family's home and they were living in fear for their children's lives. With permission from the Belize Forest Department, ACES went to the scene only to find the reason for the croc invasion even more alarming.

Acres of protected Red Mangrove, prime American Crocodile habitat, is in the process of being destroyed for development, leaving the crocs wondering aimlessly looking for a new home. Additionally, the trenching activities have flooded some of the DFC housing area and resident’s yards were shin deep in water. With the cold temperatures the past few days, the shallow water warms quickly and 9 and 12 foot crocs who just lost their homes couldn‘t resist the new Jacuzzis and possibly an easy meal.

These crocs have been hand fed for years by local boys as a tourist attraction and with the abundance of discarded food waste and garbage in the area these animals have learned to associate man as a food source. Not only is feeding the crocs illegal in Belize, but feeding wild Apex Predators is a very dangerous practice that leads to problematic animals. These animals soon lose their fear of humans and become beggars and scavengers.

A protected species, American Crocodiles are threatened of becoming endangered. ACES captured the nine footer within minutes and later captured a 12 footer as well. While removing the crocs is not a long term answer, at least it saves lives for now.

Last night while making sure no more large crocs were in anyone’s yards, ACES discovered a dead 4 footer that died from human hands.

It is illegal to kill these animals and anyone needing assistance is asked to please call the police or the BFD. The captured crocs will go by barge to the mainland and be transported by ACES’s truck to the sanctuary in Punta Gorda.

ACES is in desperate need of finishing a containment area for the newly captured large 12 foot male. Otherwise, chances are the 12 footer “George,” already residing at ACES will fight with it till death. If anyone can assit with funding please go to www.americancrocodilesanctuary.org .
San Pedro Sun

Joined: Nov 2000
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SO WHO CUT THE MANGROVES? WHO KILLED THE CROC? This makes me sick.


Harriette
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Marty Offline OP
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Illegal Feeding, Habitat Loss, Development and Abundant Garbage makes for problem Crocs






On Thursday, January 7th San Pedro Police OIC Dennis Arnold contacted the American Crocodile Education Sanctuary (ACES) regarding three problematic crocodiles residing in the DFC area. One croc in particular was in danger of being shot and had been seen residing under a family's home where they feared for their children's lives.

    With permission from the Belize Forest Department (BFD) to access and contain the animals, ACES traveled on Friday from Punta Gorda and found the crocs, as well as the reason for their recent invasion into the area. Many acres of protected Red Mangrove, which is prime American Crocodile habitat is in the process of being destroyed for the Sugar Caye development directly south of DFC. With the sudden loss of habitat the crocs are left wandering aimlessly looking for a new home. Additionally, the trenching activities had flooded some of the DFC housing area and resident's yards were shin deep in water. With the cold temperatures the past few days, the shallow water warmed quickly and small to crocs as large as 12 feet in length could not resist the warm pools and possibly an easy meal.

    These crocs have been hand fed for years by local boys as a tourist attraction and with the abundance of discarded food waste and garbage in the area these animals have learned to associate man as a food source. Not only is feeding the crocs illegal in Belize, but feeding wild Apex Predators is a very dangerous practice that leads to problematic animals. These animals soon lose their fear of humans and become beggars and scavengers.

    On Friday afternoon ACES easily captured a nine foot croc and later that evening captured a 12 foot croc that aggressively approached their golf cart in search of food. On Sunday night ACES scouted the DFC area for more problematic crocs and discovered a dead four foot croc that died from human hands. The croc had been beaten to death and one front leg was removed, most likely as a trophy. It is illegal to kill these animals and anyone needing assistance in dealing with problem crocs should contact the police, BFD or ACES.

    Monday, while preparing to transport the captive crocodiles to the mainland via barge, ACES was notified of a third problem croc in the Ambergris Lakes area across from Banyan Bay. BFD had received reports of concern from residents in the area and several pets had apparently fallen prey to the large croc. Within minutes upon arriving on the scene a 12 foot croc, which was basking on the shore was contained. ACES biologist Cherie Chenot-Rose quickly assed that the animal was perhaps the unhealthiest croc she had ever rescued claiming that it was grossly overweight from a poor diet of chicken fed to it by local residents and living in contaminated water. It also displayed no fear of people and was indeed a very dangerous creature.

    With the assistance of several volunteers the three crocs were loaded onto a flatbed truck and transported to a barge headed to Belize City. The ACES team accompanied the animals on the barge where the animals were then loaded onto an ACES truck and transported to the ACES facility in Punta Gorda.

    ACES is a non-profit organization committed to conserving Belize's critical habitats and protected species through scientific research and education to prevent further extinction of species Worldwide and to preserve Belize's wildlife for future generations. Funding is desperately needed to complete a new containment area for one of the newly captured 12 foot males and information about ACES and how to donate to them can be found at www.americancrocodilesanctuary.org.

    ACES would like to thank SP Golf Carts, Elito Arceo, Rite-Way Enterprises, Island Construction and barge crew, San Pedro Police Department, volunteers from the SACNW, Christine Booth Cotton, Denise and Steven Lee, Architectural Engineering, the Belize Forestry Department, Yvonne Temsik and The San Pedro Sun for assisting with this rescue mission. While removing the crocs is not a long term answer, at least it saves lives for now. American Crocodiles are a protected species threatened of becoming endangered and community efforts like this not only help to save the animals but provide a safer community from dangerous and potentially deadly crocodile altercations.

San Pedro Sun


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I can't belive they couldn't borrow a truck rather than the slightly comical sight of hanging a 9 foot croc off a Golf Cart.

Sad to see the dead one. Good job ACES.

Joined: May 2000
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The did have offers of trucks, but obviously managed to handle the situation well. Indeed comical is exactly the right word for the vision.

I am sure the animals will love much happier, healthier and more natural lives in their new homes.

Joined: Oct 2001
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ACES is a great place, they have done a fabulous job creating a habitat for these crocs to live. If you get an opportunity to visit the sanctuary in PG, it is well worth the visit.

Joined: Oct 1999
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Marty Offline OP
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Ambergris Caye Crocodile Relocated / Part 2

ACES apologizes for the use of any fowl language. Catching a crocodile this size is very dangerous and an adrenaline rush. At times the mind is so flooded, you dont have time to stop and think about each word. The message is that feeding Apex Predators in Belize or anywhere else in the World is illegal and very dangerous. Because this animal has been fed for years as a tourist attraction, it now associates food with people so strongly that the sound of our golf cart was its dinner bell. It was only a matter of time before a life, either a persons or the crocs, was going to be lost. ACES pleads for the community of San Pedro to come together and work towards long term solutions. Here are some simple things people can do that will help: hotels, Resorts and Tour Operators should not support nor encourage visitors to attend the illegal crocodile feedings; properly dispose of all food waste and scraps (even fish remains); keep your yards clean and add fill to low spots that retain water; report to the local police anyone you see feeding or harassing any wildlife. The rescued crocs need your help. Please contact ACES at [email protected] if you can provide any amount of funding or in-kind contributions to assist with the completion of a new secure yet natural habitat for them. Your Help Will Take a Bite Out of Extinction!


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