Croc attack - Caye Caulker, Belize

[DandyDon]

The Department of Forestry says not to feed crocs as it "can cause crocodiles to lose their fear of humans." I doubt that they ever were.

Belize: Man attacked by a crocodile while diving & spearfishing - WIC News

A crocodile attack was reported in Belize on Friday morning. As per reports, Joshua Young, a resident of Caye Caulker, was attacked by a crocodile.

wicnews.com

A crocodile attack was reported in Belize on Friday morning. As per reports, Joshua Young, a resident of Caye Caulker, was attacked by a crocodile while diving and spearfishing on the northern side of the Split area.

The incident happened at around 10 am where Young sustained injuries to the forehead and chin. He was rushed to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) where he is now in a stable condition.

The Department of Forestry is working with ACES Wildlife Rescue to search for and capture the crocodile. In a release, they reminded residents to follow the safety guidelines such as never feeding any crocodile, citing that feeding the crocs is a dangerous practice and can cause crocodiles to lose their fear of humans.

The Department of Forestry added that people must no dispose of fish carcasses nearby or in areas of fishing, stating that this could be an indirect feeding to the crocodiles. They also advised the general people living close to the water to protect their pets, keep the garbage at a proper place, avoid dumping rubbish near the water and most importantly, keep a safe distance from crocodiles and never try to capture or interfere with them.

The recent crocodile attack has placed so much terror in people. Many are now going to avoid diving and spearfishing on the northern side of the Split area.

Joshua Young- the recent victim of the attack, is in a stable condition; people also wish for his speedy recovery. Doctors at Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital confirmed that Young is out of danger and will be discharged soon.

In 2019, an American tourist was also attacked by a crocodile in the south of Ambergris Caye. The attack happened when she was searching for her lost earring in the water. She also survived the attack but was left traumatized.

 

[drrich2]

"The recent crocodile attack has placed so much terror in people. Many are now going to avoid diving and spearfishing on the northern side of the Split area."

This seems odd to me. Yes, it's a sobering reminder of a risk factor, but they've known all along crocodiles are out there. It stands to reason that once in a great while, such a thing will happen. It's like when a great white shark grabs someone; frightening even to hear about, what like many other tiny risks, we know it's there.

"The Department of Forestry is working with ACES Wildlife Rescue to search for and capture the crocodile."

'The' crocodile, huh? And how will they recognize 'the' crocodile from the others like it in the region? Or is this a line to feed the public, or do they just catch one that matches the report, and hope they got it (or at least let the public think so)?

It'd be nice to see an account of just what happened from the victim, and to know the extent of his injuries.

Richard.

 

[Altamira]

Damn! I was snorkeling in that general area last week, but was out by the reef to the east, so perhaps was too far out for a croc. Maybe not! None of the snorkel guides mentioned anything about crocs. Perhaps they were too busy feeding the stingrays and nurse sharks for the viewing/touching pleasure of the tour participants, and keeping the knuckleheads from being smacked by the outboard motor as the boat swung around in the wind. It was a real "cluster ...." and reminded me of Stingray City in GC.