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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 15 April 07
19 April 07 Indiana Reptile warning
In
an editorial response related to the 17 April 07
Dead alligator found
in Indiana story, an Indiana, USA paper states, "The discovery
provoked some scary "what if" propositions, not the least of
which was what if a farmer or child stumbled upon a live alligator in
the woods? Residents of Florida and the gulf coast may be prepared for
such an encounter, but Hoosiers aren't."
They
go on to say that this story "has become all too familiar. Someone
sees a baby alligator for sale, thinks it would be fun to have, then
can't handle it when it's no longer a baby. So the owner disposes of it
- possibly by turning it loose, possibly by flushing it down the toilet,
unaware it might survive the trip."
In
Fort Wayne, the number of abandoned reptiles and other wild and exotic
animals that city animal control workers found or were dispatched to
collect dropped greatly after a 2003 code revision severely restricted
their sale and ownership. But reptiles can still be found, sometimes
even at swap meets.
http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/journalgazette/news/editorial/17102176.htm
18-19 April 07 White crocodile 'Gori' Ailing in Bhitarkanika
From
India we have two items concerning the health of the rare estuarine
female croc, Gori.
Apparently, the 32-year old captive white crocodile has
deteriorated considerably over the past week.
What
has made the staff worried is that the caged reptile is showing signs of
disinterest towards three-times-daily fish and crab, and just lies
motionless in her pool.
Declining
to divulge the nature of sickness, an attending veterinary surgeon said
that there is no immediate cause of concern. Commenting on the skipping
of food habits on its part, the vet said that the crocodile on quite a
few occasions in past has displayed such behavioural instinct.
The
rivers and numerous creeks in the Bhitarkanika national park are teeming
with estuarine crocodiles.
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/002200704191550.htm
18 April 07 Don't get in way of gators' path to love
In
South Carolina, USA, citizens are being cautioned that "Love is in
the lagoons."
April
marks the beginning of alligator mating season, two months when males
will stroll up to several miles to find a receptive female, even if that
means trekking across backyards, patios and streets.
So
take a few extra steps back from that pond, avoid the nests and know
that it's a time of year when the typically passive reptiles are on the
move, especially at night.
Gator
courtship is described as "surprisingly tender" and I can just
hope that none of our feminine spouses read of the male gator's routine
since the latter reportedly set a very high bar for the rest of guys to
try to emulate!
Apparently, "It's a spectacular sight."
http://www.thestate.com/155/story/38955.html
18 April 07 Gator hunting: Spring season in full tilt; Know rules before playing game
If
you wanted a quick briefing on what is allowed/forbidden during this
year's Texas alligator hunt, this is the press link to refer to.
Your
editor is a bit perplexed about the following paragraph though:
"Firearms
may be used to take 'gators only on private property. It is illegal to
discharge a firearm from, in, or across public water. Alligators taken
from public water may be dispatched with a centerfire weapon, provided
the alligator is on private land when you pull the trigger."
Does
one drag the gator from a public pond, transport it to private property
somehow/somewhere - and then shoot it?
17 April 07 Dead alligator found in Indiana
A
dead alligator some 7 feet/2 metres long and weighing about 125
pounds/56 kg was found in a rural catch basin in southern Adams County,
Indiana, USA. Deputy Sheriff Larry Butler said the 'gator was probably
let loose by someone and thought it had been dead a week or more when it
was found. http://www.decaturdailydemocrat.com/index.php?option=com_content&task
17 April 07 Australia official urges rethink Of croc sightings policy
In
Australia, Townsville City officials says changes must be made to
policies for confirming crocodile sightings. One councilor says it is
unfortunate to keep closing beaches; "It seems to me that it's just
people perhaps sitting having a drink on the Strand, they see a croc,
they let the lifesavers know and we have to close the beach,".
Another official commented: "...you see a ripple in the
water on a good day, it could be a number of things, a turtle, a dugong,
a porpoise or anything, so it is very hard to say."
16 April 07 Croc gets evicted
The
leisurely life of a 2 meter/6foot Australian crocodile living at a
popular picnic spot in Cairns is about to be disrupted.
Government
agencies have known of the crocodile but it has not been removed because
of an understanding between the council and Environmental Protection
Authority that it was not big enough to be a threat to humans.
But Cairns Mayor Kevin Byrne determined the reptile must go.
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,21561198-3102,00.html
14 April 07 Alligator snaps at cars Near South Florida school
A
9 foot/2.7 metre, 350 lb/160 kg alligator was snapping at the tires of
passing cars in Florida, USA near Boynton Beach High School, until
noosed by a trapper. The animal may be euthanized. http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-0414gator,0,5010977 .story?coll=sfla-home-headlines http://www.palmbeachpost.com/localnews/content/local_news/epaper/2007/04
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