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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 23 September 07
23 September 07 Year in review
Check out Wes' commentary on the croc news of the last year. - I.D. 28 September 07 Snappy new resident croc Sure to bring a big smile
In Gosford’s Australian
Reptile Park, an unnamed 700 kg-1540 pound/five metre-16+ foot Territory
croc arrives at his new home, a replacement for ex-Darwin croc Eric, who
died in July. "He did a very slow and regal
lap of honour around the pool,'' general manager Mary Rayner said.
"Some crocodile's go into shutdown mode when they have been
moved, but not this one,'' she said. Impressive photo of Aussie croc
people ‘in the office’ at the URL.
http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2007/09/28/2171_ntnews.html 27 September 07 After Eric, what to call this big rogue?
Another version of the same article above … but with the perplexing comment that, “By coincidence both crocs once lived side-by-side at the Darwin Croc Farm and both had to be kept in isolation after each chewing the heads off female crocs.” (Quite the charmers, these Aussies! -Wes)
Bonus photography provided for
those interested in a career of crocodilian dentistry! 26 September 07 Arab buyers queue at pet shops To snap up baby crocodiles Ras Al Khaimah: Order a crocodile now and it will be delivered after Ramadan - all for Dh300.
Crocodiles continue to be sold in Ras Al Khaimah despite reports highlighting the issue. The owners of pet shops said they have not received any crocodiles from their Sharjah suppliers for a while and expect resumption of operations after Ramadan. http://www.gulfnews.com/nation/Society/10156300.html26 September 07 Fears dwarf Australian crocodile May face extinction A remote north Australian cattle station is warning that a rare dwarf crocodile could be threatened with extinction. Bullo River Station, 500 kilometres/312 miles south west of Darwin, is home to one of only two known populations of the pygmy freshwater crocodile that grows nol onger than a meter/3.28 feet. Station owner Marlee Ranacher fears the arrival of cane toads will be disastrous for the crocodiles. http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/news/stories/s2044347.htm 26 September 07 Marathon swimming crocs Find their way home
Australian Saltwater Crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) are making marathon ocean swims to reach home even if they are airlifted hundreds of kilometres away, new research shows.
Three relocated crocodiles in Far North Queensland have been tracked swimming between 10 and 30 kilometres/6.2 and 18.6 miles per day with one crocodile swimming around the northern tip of Australia to reach home —covering more than 400 kilometres/248.6 miles in 20 days.
Project researcher Professor Craig Franklin, from University of Queensland's School of Integrative Biology, said the data showed that crocodiles were oceanic animals which could move phenomenal distance over a prolonged period of time.
“We often thought crocodiles tired very quickly
but here we show very clearly that they are capable of moving marathon
distances for days on end,” Professor Franklin said.
http://www.uq.edu.au/news/?article=13058 25 September 07 Crocodiles aren't dinosaurs
To the untrained eye, crocodiles and dinosaurs appear to be relatives in a family of giant lizards.
"Crocodiles lived among the dinosaurs for millions of years," said Kathy Sanders, museum educator at the Raymond M. Alf Museum of Paleontology in Claremont. "But, crocodiles are not part of the dinosaur family."
"There are differences in leg position and hip
structure between dinosaurs and crocodilians," Sanders said. "Dinosaurs
had a hip design that enabled them to support their sometimes massive
weight with legs positioned directly below their bodies. This also made
dinosaurs more efficient walkers and runners. Crocodilians have legs
that are in a sprawling position. But unlike lizards, crocodilians can
run with their bodies held above the ground."
http://www.dailybulletin.com/lifestyle/ci_6963483
22 September 07 Niger to host conference on crocodiles
The First West African Conference on crocodiles will take place 13-15 Nov. in W. Parc, 50km/31 mi from Niamey, the capital of Niger, organisers told PANA here Friday.
"This conference is aimed at setting up a vast network of West African representatives who will take part from now on in every world congress on crocodiles," said one of the organisers, Luc Fourgeirol.
He noted that French-speaking countries in Africa were lagging behind in the protection of crocodiles.
"English-speaking countries in Africa usually take part in the world conference on crocodiles."
http://www.afriquenligne.fr/news/daily-news/niger-to-host-conference-on-crocodiles-200709229157/ 22 September 07 Zoo celebrates six tiny mouths to feed ... Carefully
Six baby alligators at the Australian National Zoo and Aquarium are positively cute, with scaly 50cm/1.6 ft - long bodies, armour-plated backs and soft, custard-coloured bellies.
The alligators are a variety only found in the south-eastern states of the United States.
The zoo's general manager, Trent Russell, said
alligators were less aggressive than their relative the crocodile, as
food was usually easier for them to catch in their natural environment. 20 September 07 Tragic death caused by crocodile
From Belize we have a report on a possible-crocodile-related death. Or is it?
Biologist Cherie Chenot-Rose, Executive Director for the American Crocodile Endangered Sanctuary said: “American Crocodiles, Crocodylus acutus, found on San Pedro are not alligators but crocodiles. Crocodilians are typically more aggressive than alligators but attacks on humans are rare.”
Belize’s crocodilian populations are decreasing
due to the destruction of major nesting grounds, low hatchling survival
rates, and needless killings largely resulting from public unawareness.
http://www.sanpedrosun.net/07-371.html
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