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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.
Wes von Papineäu, News Page Editor Email: crocnews@crocodopolis.net _________________________________________________
Week of 6 April 08
24 March 08 'Dare to Explore': 'Suffering a Thousand cuts'
As a sign of entry into manhood, boys of this tribe suffer thousands of razor-blade cuts to make their skin resemble a crocodile's. Such a ritual demonstrates the anthropomorphic impact of crocodilians on various cultures. WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGERY. See it here.
10 April 08 Zoo animals live longer in captivity
Interesting piece in the Fox News Blogs by Rick Leventhal about why captive animals tend to live longer, and why their older years are easier than those of their wild counterparts. http://onthescene.blogs.foxnews.com/2008/04/10/longevity-of-zoo-animals-increasing/
9 April 08 Daring teen trappers Jump on 8-foot alligator
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. -- An eight-foot/2.4 meter alligator caused a huge scare Tuesday in an Orange County neighborhood. Trappers and police were called to an area west of downtown Orlando, after residents spotted the large reptile in their neighborhood. People who live nearby think the alligator came from Lake Mann, located a block south of Robinson Street and Link Avenue. A neighbor saw the large reptile in an empty lot around 7:30am Tuesday morning and immediately called police. Officers then called trappers and kept an eye on the alligator until they arrived. The gator didn't go down without a fight. Teenage trappers made several attempts to capture the animal. After 15 minutes, one of them crept up from behind and jumped on the alligator's back. The other then tied the alligator's mouth shut with tape. "Just thank God no children were coming or going. That's what I was afraid of, because they catch the bus here. They'll catch it early in the morning when it's dark. They would not have seen the gator there," said eyewitness Ed Gardner. VIDEO, PHOTOS & STORY: http://www.wftv.com/news/15825391/detail.html
7 April 08 Alligator blood could be Antibiotic for humans
Alligator blood and clay have become the latest, somewhat unlikely, weapons in the war against superbugs.
Around one third of all deaths on this planet are the result of infection and there is an urgent need to create new ways to fight bacteria because of the explosion in antibiotic-resistant bacteria, combined with a slow down in the development of new types of antibiotic.
Despite their reputation for deadly attacks on humans and pets, alligators are wiggling their way toward a new role as potential lifesavers, says Dr Kermit Murray of Louisiana State University.
He tells the spring meeting of the American Chemical Society in New Orleans that proteins in gator blood may provide a source of powerful new antibiotics to help fight superbugs, along with infections associated with diabetic ulcers and severe burns.
6 April 08 Old hoax email
Makes rounds in UAE
Dubai: A crocodile with a stomach full of human body parts was claimed to have been found in Hatta.
Pictures in hoax e-mails circulated in the UAE and elsewhere show the crocodile after being captured and its supposed stomach contents, which include a human arm and leg, along with an image of tens of large snakes. The e-mails state the discovery was made by Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa).
[Many readers would recognize the photo from this latest email incarnation. - I.D.] http://www.gulfnews.com/nation/General/10203519.html
9 April 08 Alligator wrangler Finds business brisk
HILTON HEAD ISLAND, South Carolina — It was 10 a.m. Tuesday and Joe Maffo’s Critter Management had three alligator pulls to complete. Spring is when the animals come out of torpor, similar to hibernation. In April, they begin to look for mates.
Maffo, who started his business in 1994, fields nearly 100 calls a year from residents concerned about gators in nearby lagoons, or, at times, swimming in their pools. If the alligator is aggressive — usually because it’s been fed by people — or is in an inappropriate location, Maffo will remove it.
His fees range from $400 to $1,000, depending on the number of gators and the time it takes to catch them.
The law requires Maffo kill any alligator he captures under the nuisance-alligator program. He captures and kills about 30 a year. The number so far for 2008 is six. http://www.thestate.com/local/story/367168.html
6 April 08 Standing alligator walks into Hearts of Aquarium visitors
HATSUKAICHI, Hiroshima -- An alligator that stands up on its back legs when water is poured on it has become popular with visitors to an aquarium here.
Named "Daigoro," the 80-centimeter-long male alligator was first spotted standing up about two years ago, when water that a keeper poured on plants in his cage splashed on him at Marine Plaza Miyajima in Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima Prefecture.
From this year, Daigoro, a three-year-old dwarf caiman alligator from South America, has been entertaining visitors by performing the stand-up show every noon when a keeper pours water on it.
[This is not the first time such unusual behavior has been observed in this species in reaction to running or spraying water.- I.D.] http://mdn.mainichi.jp/national/news/20080405p2a00m0na031000c.html
6 April 08 Police hunt Darwin croc thieves
Police say thieves broke into the Darwin Crocodile Farm at Noonamah some time on Friday night or Saturday morning and stole $16,000 worth of crocodile skins and belts.
They say the culprits forced their way in through a cyclone gate and broke into the building through a kitchen window.
A hide from a five-metre/16.4 foot crocodile worth $10,000 was the most expensive item stolen.
Meanwhile, investigations are continuing into the theft of 18 baby crocodiles from another Darwin wildlife park last week. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/04/06/2208998.htm?section=justin
4 April 08 Alligator nabbed in Series of NJ gang raids
TRENTON, N.J. -- Police in New Jersey made an unexpected collar during a series of raids on local gangs -- a 3-foot/1 meter alligator.
New Jersey State Police and Plainfield, N.J., police arrested 91 alleged gang members in a series of raids, authorities said.
However, New Jersey State Police also told Brian Thompson of New York station WNBC that a live alligator was discovered in one of the raided homes. The alligator was taken to an animal shelter. Authorities said it was not clear if the alligator was kept for security, as a pet or for some other reason. http://www.knbc.com/news/15794657/detail.html
4 April 08 Large croc on loose near Qld. school
A five-metre/16.4 foot-long crocodile that has been lurking near a school in Queensland's far north for several weeks is proving a little too cunning for authorities.
Police received reports of at least three crocodiles in Cowal Creek near Injinoo school, on the northern tip of Cape York, on Good Friday.
EPA officers have set up traps near the waterway, which lies just 10 metres/32.8 feet from the fenced-off school grounds, where up to 100 students play every day.
A 3.6-metre/11.8 foot crocodile was caught almost immediately, but the largest crocodile, estimated to be between four and five metres long, remains at large http://news.smh.com.au/large-croc-on-the-loose-near-qld-school/20080404-23pn.html
4 April 08 Crocodile kills woman in Costa Rica
San Jose - A woman was killed by a crocodile in the northern Costa Rican province of Guanacaste, local media reported Friday.
The animal reportedly attacked the woman Thursday on the river Bebedero, some 250 kilometres north of the Costa Rican capital, San Jose.
Another man was killed by a crocodile in northern Costa Rica a few months ago. The animals live on several of the country's rivers. http://www.topnews.in/crocodile-kills-woman-costa-rica-230232
3 April 08 Solomon Islands gov't called on To act over crocodile threat
People of Yandina in the Russell Islands of Solomon Islands are urging the government to deal with the threat posed by crocodiles.
The Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation quotes a spokesman for concerned locals, Eddie Grant Suku, as saying there have been numerous incidents both last year and this year in which people have been attacked by crocodiles.
The latest incident came yesterday when a person narrowly escaped an attack outside the Yandina Fisheries area. http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=38946
1 April 08 Kidnapped croc returned to Norway aquarium
OSLO, Norway: A dwarf crocodile in Norway was recuperating Tuesday from a kidnapping ordeal that included having his mouth taped shut, an aquarium director said.
Taggen, a 4-year-old crocodile, was reported missing Monday from his cage at the Bergen Aquarium after his captors broke the latch over the weekend and took the reptile, said marine biologist Kees Oscar Ekeli, the aquarium's director.
After the theft of the 27-inch-long croc made national news in Norway, the kidnappers handed him over to reporters from the TV-2 television network through a middleman late Monday, reports said.
"He is recuperating. He had a tough time. But this animal will survive," Ekeli said, adding that heavy tape had been used to keep the reptile's mouth shut.
[The "crocodile" in question is a Smooth-fronted Caiman (Paleosuchus trigonatus). - I.D.] http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/04/01/news/Norway-Crocodile-Theft.php
3 April 08 Kentucky man charged with Owning alligators, venomous snakes
A Taylor County man is facing 25 counts of illegally importing wildlife into Kentucky and possessing inherently dangerous animals after Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources conservation officers discovered alligators and venomous snakes at his Campbellsville home Friday.
Freddy Stone, 36, is charged with 15 counts of transporting wildlife into Kentucky without a transportation permit and 10 counts of possessing inherently dangerous animals. http://www.lex18.com/Global/story.asp?S=8095755&nav=EQlp
31 March 08 Florida man arrested For allegedly feeding alligator
A Fort Myers, Florida man was arrested Friday by a Lee County Sheriff’s deputy for reportedly feeding a wild alligator.
According to deputy Timothy Lalor, the man, later identified as Angelo Fantozzi, 45, was leaning over the safety rail of a drainage canal at the north entrance to Summerlin Square shopping center.
“I observed the subject tossing pieces of raw chicken and bread to an alligator in the canal,” Lalor reported. “I made contact with Fantozzi, who spontaneously stated that he was ‘just feeding the alligator.’ ”
Feeding a wild alligator is a misdemeanor in Florida. http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080331/NEWS0110/80331055/1007/NEWS0105
05 April 08 Thief steals 18 baby crocs
A brazen thief has stolen 18 baby crocodiles from a Darwin’s Crocodylus Park.
Park hatchery manager Alli Bryce said the salties would have a poor chance of survival and would probably die from stress if they were not returned to the park soon.
Crocodylus Park has been targeted by thieves in recent years with crocodiles, monkeys and turtles among the items that have been nicked.
Anyone who may hear or know of where the crocs are,
or are offered one to buy, are urged to call police on 131444 or Crime
Stoppers on 1300888000.
http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2008/04/05/3789_ntnews.html 04 April 08 Croc hunter warns of wet season attack
Broome-based crocodile expert Malcolm Douglas says an attack in the Northern Territory should serve as a reminder that anyone who swims in northern Australia during the wet season risks death.
"Anyone who swims anywhere
between say, north of Broome to Rockhampton in mangrove lined rivers,
swamps that may be connected to salt water, are simply mad," he said.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/04/04/2208257.htm?site=science&topic=latest 04 April 08 Ready: Sun-screen for Bhitarkanika inmates
India’s Bhitarkanika authorities have planned a special summer for their penned estuarine crocodiles, including albino crocodile ‘Gori’ to ensure that they do not fall prey to the heat.
Wet curtains have been hung on all sides of the
cages of about 200 hatchlings in the crocodile breeding and research
center.
http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEQ20080404030559&Page=Q&Title=ORISSA&Topic=0 03 April 08 Meet Whitey the albino alligator - 'The smartest critter in the place'
Whitey the albino alligator is visiting Germany and
is apparently quite the hit. "Whitey is the smartest critter in the place," says Rene Renz, owner of the Serengeti Park in Hodenhagen in Germany.
"He's clever, kind and I don't mind hugging him any time - except when he's hungry. He tends to get a bit snappy if he misses a meal."
He is one of only a few albino alligators and
crocodiles in the world - and the only one currently in Europe.
04 April 08 How I escaped from the jaws of a croc
Two items on the woman who survived a 2.5 metre/ 8 foot crocodile attack and would have been "crushed'' to death if her heroic husband hadn't rescued her by poking his fingers into the saltie's eyes.
Ms. Petherick was standing on the creek bank when the crocodile exploded out of the water and locked its jaws around both of her legs and dragged her into the water.
Ms. Petherick suffered eight puncture wounds in her
right thigh, a puncture wound in her left thigh and a severe cut to one
of her fingers. and is expected to be released from hospital in two
days.
http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2008/04/04/3782_ntnews.html
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,23475733-5001021,00.html 03 April 08 Croc held in lock-up
(Caitriona Murtagh) A 3.6 m/ 12 ft saltwater crocodile has been released from Injinoo police custody without charge after spending Easter under lock and key.
The croc was one of three, including a 4.5m/15 ft monster, sighted loitering nearby … "There’s been reports the larger one’s been popping his head up when the school bell rings," a policeman said said. "The school’s naturally concerned."
The 4.5m reptile remains at large but Parks and Wildlife officers snared the 3.6m animal in a creek-bank trap using a pig meat lure.
Wildlife officers drove the croc to nearby Bamaga Police Station. The crocodile was taken to Cairns by barge and then to Environmental Protection Agency holding pens at Cardwell.
"It is a young male and will be studied,
radio-tagged and released to a remote location," an EPA spokeswoman
said.
http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2008/04/03/2837_local-news.html 02 April 08 Endangered crocs make comeback
A remote corner of southern Florida is booming with with baby crocodiles.
Joe Wasilewskis’ job to catch and catalogue the hundreds of baby crocodiles that have come out of their shells. He's the crocodile caretaker at Turkey Point Nuclear Power Plant - the nuclear power plant has become the main breeding ground for a giant lizard.
The high ground is so ideal for laying crocodile
eggs that Turkey Point has become an enormous crocodile nursery. It's
now home to about 500 full-grown crocodiles — a quarter of the country's
entire adult crocodile population.
http://www.todaysthv.com/news/news.aspx?storyid=63382 02 April 08 Nuisance gators end up on the menu
A short item on the fate of a 9 foot/2.5 metre alligator that was captured and killed after blocking a Florida highway.
Deputies surrounded the animal as traffic was reduced to one lane.
''This is the Broward Sheriff's Office,'' a deputy barked into a bullhorn. ``Get back into the canal!''
No reaction from the gator.
The deputy continued: ``Move back! Move back!''
Nothing.
Sold to a processing facility for $280, his meat will be breaded and deep-fried, his hide transformed into designer shoes and wallets and his bones used to make soap.
Nuisance alligators are defined by the state as those that are a threat to the public's welfare or pets, livestock or property.
Sitting in the middle of a busy road at rush hour
also qualifies.
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/miami_dade/story/479439.html 02 April 08 200 Mugger crocs live in Iran province
According to the latest Iranian census, the number of endangered Gandos (Crocodylus palustris) in south-eastern Iran has reached 200.
“Thanks to recent rainfalls
in Sistan-Baluchestan which filled up local rivers and ponds, the
habitat of this short-muzzle crocodile has been revived,” said a
government official.
http://www.chnpress.com/news/?section=1&id=1960
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