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CROCODOPOLIS world of crocodilians TM SCIENCE · CULTURE · INDUSTRY · NEWS · COMMUNICATION · CONSERVATION
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NEWS
THE CROC PRESS
Regular coverage of crocodilians and people in headlines worldwide.
By Wes von Papineäu News Page Editor Email: crocnews@crocodopolis.net _________________________________________________
Week of 11 February 07
16
February 07
Study: Rare Philippine crocs Also found in highlands
A
rare crocodile (Crocodylus mindorensis), that can only be found
in the Philippines, not only lives in swamps and other lowland areas,
but also in highlands of Abra.
The
high elevation occurrence now opens previously discounted areas for
release of captive reared individuals into the wild.
15
February 07
'Swampmaster' to take on gators At Michigan boat show
The
state of Michigan, that well known hot-bed (pun intended) of
alligator activity, offers a feature on the "Swampmaster" --
alligator handler, Jeff Quattrocchi and his performance in Grand Rapids
this week.
Performing
300, 30- to 45-minute alligator shows a year, Quattrocchi commandeers
the 2.4 m/8 ft long reptiles with enormous snapping jaws while educating
crowds about the creatures … it's not alligator wrestling. However
… "I've been bitten 12 times in 14 years, all during shows,"
he said. "You never know with my show. (But) I've gotten better
over the years. You just don't want to go out there lackadaisical or
make a rookie mistake." http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/grpress/index.ssf?/base/entertainment -2/1171546518232080.xml&coll=6 15 February 07 "Fore!"
'Menace' lurked in a hazard on No. 5
A
Florida paper offers a more detailed version (and photo) of what
happened during the previously reported attack of a medium-sized gator
on a golf-club employee.
Of
note, one of the responding trappers commented that the gator had been
consistently fed by people … with the usual and predictable results
for the gator.
14
February 07
Alligator attacks golf course worker
A
New Port Richey, Florida man retrieving balls from a golf course lake
was attacked by a 2.1m/7-ft long alligator Wednesday morning, suffering
minor injuries to his foot.
A
sheriff's spokesman said "Any time you go into the water in Florida
you have to make sure you're extra careful, because alligators are
definitely out there. He was lucky to get away with the minor injuries
he received."
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/state/16697788.htm
14
February 07
Villagers abandon killer crocodile hunt
A
S. African report on Indonesian villagers who have given up a two-week
long search for a crocodile believed to have eaten a seven-year-old boy
on the island of Borneo.
The
victim's family had to call off the search when they ran out of money.
They reportedly spent about 10-million rupiah (about $US 1,105/€845) on
the hunt, with neighbours pitching in an additional 4-million rupiah
($US 445/€340).
The
hunters did kill a 100 kg/220 lb and 400 kg/880 lb crocodile, but did
not find any trace of the missing boy. http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=126&art_id=nw2007021
14
February 07
'Crocodile battle lasted for four hours'
Crocodile
poaching continues in S. Africa with two men being charged this week.
This case is interesting for the absolute disconnect between the
stories that the poachers have offered in their defence and what
investigators have determined from their forensic efforts.
(Ed: CSI: Crocodile anyone?)
One story centres on a four-hour, man vs. raw nature, panga vs.
croc jaws, battle to the death…the other of a croc brought down by a
snare and nets. http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=15&art_id=nw200702
12
February 07
Crocs - squatters on their own turf
One
Jamaican journalist's sympathetic take on the public response to recent
reports of crocodiles appearing in the Greater Portmore area.
The
writer's take is that not only have the crocs lost their historical
homes (and continue to lose those in areas where the crocs have recently
moved to), but they're also at a disadvantage in that "They can't
protest, block roads, or file lawsuits when their habitat is being
overrun by pesky humans. They can't call the print media to get
photographs of squatters or when sewage overflows in their homes or
someone builds a school in their play area. Crocodiles can't call the
electronic media, or growl loudly whenever the cameras hit the females
who will be decked out in their bleached pattern skins. The crocs are
also unable to carry placards saying 'we want justice' when the
contractors move in to clear their lands."
http://www.jamaica-star.com/thestar/20070212/cleisure/cleisure1.html
12
February 07
Author documents attacks By Florida's saurian
A
review of environmentalist-author Charles Sobczak's book,
Alligators,
Sharks & Panthers: Deadly Encounters with Florida's Top Predator --
Man.
The book features the “infamous gator attacks” within the
Florida area.
Sobczak
recreates the deadly 2005 attack on North Port resident Kevin Albert
Murray by a 180 kg/400 lb, 3.6 m/12 ft alligator; the 1977 saga of
George
Leonard who encountered a female alligator that grabbed hold of his
arm.; and the 2004 death of Janie Melsek who was grabbed by a massive
bull gator that had crawled some 3 m/10 ft out of the water to reach her.
Details
of an upcoming book signing are also offered. http://www.sun-herald.com/Newsstory.cfm?pubdate=021207&story=tp1ch6.htm
12
February 07
State Asks How To Manage Alligators
The
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will hold public
meetings in St. Petersburg this month and in Orlando next month to get
public input on managing alligators.
St.
Petersburg meetings and topics will be: Feb. 27, alligator
conservation; Feb. 28, public safety; and March 1, alligator hunting,
each from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve, Lake
Maggiore Environmental Education Center, 1101 Country Club Way S.
The
Orlando meetings and topics will be: March 27, public safety; March
28, alligator hunting; and March 29, alligator management, each from
6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Florida Department of Transportation, Lake
Apopka B Room, 233 S. Semoran Blvd.
For
more information, go to http://www.MyFWC.com/gators/input.html. http://www.theledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070212/NEWS/7021
11
February 07
Bounty on croc eggs
Queensland,
Australia is exploring the conservation-benefits of placing a AU$30
bounty wild crocodile eggs.
The
intent would be to allow eggs to be taken from private and Crown land
to be farm-incubated and subsequently exploited for leather.
About 25,000 eggs are taken annually.
Chairman
of the world's Crocodile Specialist Group Grahame Webb is quoted as
saying ranching was a valuable conservation tool.
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,21210227-3102,00.html
12
February 07
Crocodile sightings in Brac waters
The
Cayman Islands appear to be the holiday-destination-away of choice with
the green-and-toothy crowd.
It seems that locals in the Cayman Brac area are reporting
multiple sightings of suspicious ‘logs’ that one authority suspects
are crocodiles from nearby Cuba that have ‘jumped ship’ |
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