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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 22 April 07
27 April 07 Survey will determine Queensland croc populations
Australia's Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) is carrying out a survey of the region's croc population within 24 rivers as part of a draft statewide crocodile conservation plan. Environment Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr said: "There has been a lot of speculation recently about crocodile populations exploding. This survey will give us an accurate picture of what is really going on across a large proportion of Queensland's croc country." The last such survey was conducted in 2000. http://www.dailymercury.com.au/localnews/storydisplay.cfm?storyid=3731 491&thesection=localnews&thesubsection=&thesecondsubsection=
27 April 07 'Gator loose on campus - Hunt on for reptile spotted In Trinity Western ravine
On the west coast of Canada, a 60 cm/2 foot caiman or alligator is reportedly on the loose at Trinity Western University campus in Langley. The reptile was spotted by security staff "during their rounds" of the campus. University officials called in a local reptile rescuer to try to catch the critter but to date, without success. Pork and salmon has been laid out as bait for the reptile the past two nights. "We're going to entice him to keep taking free handouts and then we lay the trap out." http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/story.html?id=9473bccf-7c5e-4946 http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/story.html?id=d34c88f8-5c75-4d85-
26 April 07 Rise in croc attacks may be linked To logging, palm oil: expert
Logging and palm oil ventures are coming too close to crocodiles on Borneo island, possibly resulting in more attacks on humans, said Alexander Sayok, a scientist in charge of the UN Development Programme's forest management project in Borneo. In previous years, attacks on humans averaged about one every four months. However, two crocodile attacks have been recorded in separate districts this month alone. Sayok added that there were many crocodiles in in Sarawak, but no attacks on people have been reported there, probably because curbs on development have ensured the crocodiles have sufficient fish and breeding grounds. http://www.brunei-online.com/bb/thu/apr26b2.htm
26 April 07 Crocodiles spotted At city tin mine lagoon
In Thailand, the Phuket Provincial Fisheries Office (PPFO) is warning the public to stay away from an abandoned tin mine on the south side of town, following reports by local residents that two or three one-metre/3 foot- long crocodiles were spotted there. The owner of a crocodile farm in the area has already been questioned. He told the PPFO that it would be impossible for any but the smallest baby crocodiles to escape from their enclosure, which is surrounded by two concrete retaining walls. http://www.phuketgazette.net/news/index.asp?fromsearch=yes&Id=5659
26 April 07 Croc attacks, eats 11-year-old boy
In Zimbabwe, an 11-year-old Mwenezi boy was attacked and killed by a crocodile while swimming with friends. http://www.herald.co.zw/inside.aspx?sectid=18040&cat=1
26 April 07 Strewth! Joe's the new Croc Hunter?
UK Railway worker, Joe McQuade, who also likes to be known as Crocodile Joe, wants to follow in the footsteps of his hero wildlife warrior Steve Irwin and has snapped at the chance for a new careeer as a crocodile conservationist The 38-year-old who produces his own online blog and crocodile survival guide, first became passionate about protecting the deadly reptiles when visiting Australia on a working holiday visa in 1998. He now wants to dedicate himself to raising awareness about crocodiles both in Australia and Europe. Dr Mark Read, a crocodile expert and manager of conservation services, at Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, said: "Joel is very keen and passionate about crocodiles and crocodile education, and has expressed his desire to work with the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service to promote croc messages in Queensland, especially through schools." http://www.middletonguardian.co.uk/news/s/226/226977_strewth_joes_the_
25 April 07 Endangered crocodile To find mate in matchmaking session
"What do you want to be when you grow up Wes?" "An Indonesian crocodile!" Jantan, an endangered male, Malayan Gharial (Tomistoma schlegelii), said to be peninsular Malaysia's largest (4.7-m/15.5 ft; 470-kg/1,036 lbs), will be set up with four females to hopefully produce offspring at a breeding center. Zainal Zahari, a veterinarian in the country's Department of Wildlife and National Parks said: "He has got the right stamina and the right aggression ... So we are very hopeful." http://www.thejakartapost.com/detailgeneral.asp?fileid=20070425150236&irec=16
25 April 07 During mating and nesting season, Keep gators at arm's length
A group of Florida citizens hopes to change the conception that gators are naught but out-of-control killers during Alligator Awareness Season. " Sensational news reports don't tell the whole story," said Nick Clark, senior reptile keeper at the Central Florida Zoological Park in Sanford. "You're far more likely to be in a fatal auto accident on I-4 than attacked by an alligator." A local paddler attending one of the 'gator safety classes' states: "It's good to know what to do when you meet an alligator. Beating the water with your paddle may not be a good idea; it could look like dinner to a gator." Clark believes the first rule of co-existence is, don't ever feed the alligators. Not only is it illegal, it's unwise because feeding them makes them less wary of humans, bolder and more likely to attack instead of flee. http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJournalOnline/News/Enviro/env
23 April 07 No let up in human-animal conflict In Bhitarakanika National Park
From India, we have a detailed item about the continuing conflict between the saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus - baula kumbhira) and residents of the 50 villages around Bhitarakanika National Park. Residents claim that 50 people and numerous cattle have lost their live to "crocodile attacks" over the past decade. However the government claims that the numbers are exaggerated, that locals cook up stories to gain sympathies of visiting journalists, and that the deaths are accidental in that "Crocodiles, unlike tigers don't chase people. It is only when people enter their habitat that attacks occur." Locals also claim that wildlife authorities are trying to thwart the construction regional roads in the name of crocodile conservation and question "Don't we human beings have any right to live?" http://www.downtoearth.org.in/full6.asp?foldername=20070430&filename=
25 April 07 Farmer snaps up Huge crocodile skull fossil
Scientists
in Indonesia's central Java are celebrating the discovery of a massive
95 cm/3.1 foot long, 60 cm/2 foot wide fossilised crocodile skull,
believed to be up to 700,000 years old. Australian crocodile expert Grahame
Webb estimated the reptile was likely about 6m/19.6 feet, weighing about
1000kg/2200 pounds.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/2/story.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10435981
24 April 07 Crocodile survivors Need psychological counseling
(Lydia
Chen)
The
three boys who witnessed their fellow being eaten by crocodiles (see 23
April 07 Crocodiles devour boy) are receiving psychological
treatment because they are too terrified to sleep.
Doctors
suggest that parents not mention the incident to their children and that
teachers not talk about the tragedy in front of the survivors.
http://www.shanghaidaily.com/sp/article/2007/200704/20070424/article_313860.htm
21 April 07 American Crocodiles make comeback
The
American Crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) has done so well that the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) wants to take it off the
endangered species list. The biggest surprise is that the crocodile owes
much of its comeback to a nuclear power plant.
Since
1989, field biologist Joe Wasilewski has followed one reptile population
- the crocodiles that live and breed in the extensive canal system south
of Miami next to the Turkey Point nuclear power plant. Because of their limited habitat in the U.S., there were never many crocodiles in North America. Scientists say their numbers today are approximately what their population was in South Florida 100 years ago. The decision to move crocodiles from "endangered" to "threatened" status was based on a number of factors, including the number of nesting sites. [In
stating that the USFWS "wants" to change the crocodile's
status, his NPR piece proves a bit uninformed; the crocodile was officially
downlisted to "threatened" April 19. Read more of the
coverage, here.
- I.D.]
23 April 07 Tampa man charged With alligator killing
A
man from Tampa, Florida, USA has been charged with killing an alligator,
a crime in the state. http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/florida/news-article.aspx?storyid=80629 Related story: Police: Man arrested for butchering alligator needed new belt http://www.local6.com/news/13005733/detail.html
23 April 07 Crocodiles devour boy In South China resort
BEIJING: A nine-year-old boy was devoured by a swarm of crocodiles Friday in an alligator pool on a seashore resort in Beihai city in South China, local police said. http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEW20070421062947&Page=W&Title= Related stories: Croc eats 'irritating' boy http://www.smh.com.au/news/unusual-tales/croc-eats-irritating-boy/2007/04/23/1 Snipers kill croc after death of boy http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2007-04/22/content_856489.htm Boy's remains found in crocodile's stomach http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,267741,00.html
22 April 07 Wayward New York reptile Gets some gator aid
All
spring's harbingers were on display on Saturday afternoon - gorgeous
blue skies, budding flowers, birds fluttering through the trees, an
alligator sunbathing by a Huntington Village, New York pond. "Generally speaking," said Roy Gross, chief of the Suffolk County SPCA, "alligators are not found in ponds in Long Island." http://www.newsday.com/news/printedition/longisland/ny-lialli225182343apr 22,0,1275230.story?coll=ny-linews-print Related stories: Incredulous authorities nab out-of-place alligator in Long Island http://www.azcentral.com/offbeat/articles/0422alligator-ON.html Alligator trapped in NY State pond http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Quirks/2007/04/22/alligator_ trapped_in_new_york_state_pond/
22 April 07 Mississippi alligator season: More hunters, areas, & big 'lizards'
Reason to apply for one of the precious few alligator hunting permits on Barnett Reservoir, Mississippi, USA just doubled. Instead of a one alligator limit, hunters selected for the 2007 seasons on Barnett Reservoir will be allowed to take two. http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070422/COL05
21 April 04 Thailand invents crocodile smile
Bangkok - A team of Thai scientists had successfully produced false teeth and dental transplants using crocodile eggshells and bones as a raw material, media reports said on Saturday. http://www.news24.com/News24/Technology/News/0,,2-13-1443_
19 April 07 Man 'wrestles' alligator in front yard
A living lawn ornament frightened a family in Haughton, Louisiana, USA Thursday. They found an alligator crawling through the front yard. (Note the sensational and typical headline depicting confrontation. - I.D.)
http://www.ktbs.com/viewnews.cfm?news_id=1232&title=Man%20wrestles%20 alligator%20in%20his%20front%20yard
19 April 07 Arkansas OK's Alligator Hunting Season
The
Arkansas, USA Game and Fish Commission has approved an alligator hunting
season for this fall. The alligator season this fall still must be
approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. If that happens, 40
alligator-possession tags will be available for certain public and
private lands in southwest and southeast Arkansas the last two weekends
of September.
19 April 07 Alligator captured in Gulf
In early April, Deputies responded to Gulf Blvd. in Navarre in reference to a complaint of an alligator being on the beach. When deputies arrived, the gator went for a swim in the Gulf of Mexico. http://www.gulfbreezenews.com/news/2007/0419/News/007.html
18 April 07 Iowa lawmakers approve ban On crocs, exotic pets
In Iowa, a northern state of the USA, the legal bill was pushed by the Animal Rescue League and part of the inspiration was a Sioux City case where one home had 30 exotic animals, including some big snakes and an alligator. The League cites more than a dozen other cases over the past three years in Iowa. http://www.ktiv.com/News/index.php?ID=12120
18 April 07 Tanzania officials to put Man-eating crocs under control
The
Tanzanian government plans to conduct a special campaign in areas where
crocodiles have been endangering people's lives. http://www.dailynews-tsn.com/page.php?id=6453
17 April 07 Minister calls for calm over croc ban
Environment
Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr today called for calm debate over proposed
changes to the crocodile management plan and encouraged north and far
north Queensland residents to have their say. http://media-newswire.com/release_1047873.html
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