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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 04 November 07
08 November 07
Crocodile Dundee of Kukrail
Five foot nothing forestry worker Ramesh Kumar has a local reputation of being ‘India’s Steve Irwin’ as he works with capturing ghariyals (Gavialis Gangetitus) for measuring in the Kukrail Ghariyal Rehabilitation Centre.
The Centre, set up in 1978, has seen
many a vicissitude—threat of a closure due to paucity of
funds included. “But with a total 3782 babies hatched and
then released, now it is easily the only 100 percent success
story in the world, claims Renu Singh, divisional forest
officer, in charge of the endangered species. The number
world wide had dwindled to 300, a study by the International
Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, UNO,
had pointed out in 1975. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Lucknow/Crocodile_Dundee_of_
Kukrail/articleshow/2527064.cms
There has been a spike in the number of pet crocodiles being dumped in Darwin, Australia.
In Darwin's urban
area it is legal to buy a young crocodile over the counter,
as long as you have a permit. One of the places
to buy a crocodile in Darwin is Crocodylus Park, where a
thriving hatchling costs $300. It is also legal to keep a crocodile smaller than 60 cm/24 in. But the problem arises with what to do with your pet crocodile once it gets too big. Crocodylus does accept returned crocodiles that have grown too big, but the former pets often have to be cared for separately.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/11/08/2085161.htm 08 November 07
Two alligators confiscated in
Oakdale pet shop
Suffolk, New York's Society for the Prevention of Cruelty seized two juvenile gators from a 55-gallon tank and charged the Best Pets in Oakdale for possession of illegal animals.
"Make no mistake about it, an alligator of that size (1-2 feet/.3-.6 metre) can do a lot of damage," Chief Roy Gross of the Suffolk SPCA said. "They still have a lot of strength behind those teeth."
The store owner said he obtained the
animals from a reptile convention in New Jersey and that
he'd faxed the DEC several times to renew the permit, and
was under the belief he'd be sent the paperwork. He could
face fines of up to $250 and 15 days in jail.
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/ny-ligato1108,0,1626711.story?track=rss
A Bahrain environment group has pledged to investigate reports that a crocodile could be swimming around Tubli Bay.
Environment Friends Society president Khawla Al Muhannadi said she was not surprised by the report and said there had been several sightings across the country in recent years, all of which are suspected of being abandoned pets.
It is not the first time that the possibility of crocodiles being in Bahrain has been exposed. The newspaper reported in August 2005 that the authorities were investigating the sale of baby crocodiles that were allegedly being smuggled into the country and sold as pets.
http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/Story.asp?Article=197331&Sn=BNEW&IssueID=30214
07 November 07 Indiana pet shop raided
In search of huge gator
State conservation officers are seeking charges against a Highland, Indiana pet shop owner accused of providing veterinary services without a license and possessing a 9.5-foot/2.7 metre, 350-pound/158-kilo alligator without proper permits.
Conservation officers received a tip alleging that Brian Robenhorst was selling snakes not native to the area, administering veterinary services without a license and possessing an alligator without a permit - and that he let the huge alligator roam the store freely after business hours. State records showed the man had never been issued a license to possess a dangerous reptile.
According to police, the man told the undercover officers he had a large alligator he lets roam the store at night, saying he uses the crocodilian as an "attack alligator" for the store.
Armed with a search warrant,
conservation officers raided the shop Tuesday afternoon in
search of the alligator, but did not find the animal.
http://www.nwi.com/articles/2007/11/07//updates/breaking_news/doc4731d35ceb488482009035.txt
http://www.post-trib.com/news/638347,alligator.article
06 November 07
Mand havde krokodille gående
A Danish item on a
half-metre/1.5-foot crocodile in (Jylland?) Denmark doing
something … probably something Danish. http://www.dr.dk/Nyheder/Indland/2007/11/06/164007.htm
02 November 07 Cocodrilo alarma afectadosLa Barranquita In the Dominican Republic, a wandering crocodile is apparently causing additional stress to people already suffering the effects of massive flooding in their village.
http://www.elnacional.com.do/article.aspx?id=30619 Cocodrilo devora a un pescador Troops of a Honduran infantry battalion are searching a waterway for the crocodile(s) suspected to be responsible for a fatal attack on a 55 year old fisherman.
http://www.elheraldo.hn/nota.php?nid=86302&sec=7&fecha=2007-10-29
06 November 07 HCM City increases crocodile export
Officials in Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City exported 800 live
crocodiles and 1,676 sets of crocodile skin to China, Italy,
Japan, Russia, Singapore, the Republic of Korea, and Ukraine
in October and hves issued licences for the export of 2,700
crocodiles and 1,454 sets of skin this month.
http://www.vnanet.vn/Home/EN/tabid/119/itemid/221673/Default.aspx 05 November 07 Alligator sighted In
Roanoke's Crystal Lake?
Roanoke, Alabama utilities officials have denied that access to Crystal Lake, a city reservoir, was put in place because of alligator sightings.
On October 11th, a local newspaper
reported that Roanoke utilities operations supervisor Brent
Wilson said the closing was because of alligator sightings,
but manager Donna Tucker said the access road was chained
off because of low water levels.
http://www.waaytv.com/Global/story.asp?S=7313383 Celebs to be fed crocodile penis
A British tabloid reports that contestants in the ‘reality’ program “I'm A Celebrity” will be told to tuck into crocodile genitals. Lilian Lever, owner of the Koorana Crocodile Farm in Coowonga, Queensland, would only say: 'We do supply 'We do supply "bits" of the crocs for the TV show. I can't say any more.'
http://www.metro.co.uk/fame/article.htmlin_article_id=74497&in_page_id=7&ito=newsnow 05 November 07 Indian zoo successful
In
increasing alligator population
India’s Gwalior zoo has become a success model for increasing alligator population, courtesy zoo officials' sincere endeavours and perseverance.
"At present, we have seven adult
alligators-six females and one male. Two months ago, 13 to
14 baby alligators were born and they all are in healthy
condition," said S.K.Mittal, veterinary doctor at the
Gwalior Zoo.
Alligator lovers from around the world are lending their support for the protection and well-being of alligators in Gwalior. One such organisation is the World Alligator Conservation Union that has taken deep interest in this programme being run by the Gwalior Zoo by providing both logistic and financial support to increase alligator population.
The Gwalior Zoo's success story has
influenced many people around the world. Recntly, Lonnie
McGaskill, the Superintendent at Disney Animal Kingdom in
Florida, visited seeking suggestions from the zoo officials
to increase Disney’s own alligator population. [
http://www.dailyindia.com/show/188689.php/Gwalior-zoo-successful-in-increasing-alligator-population Croc genes mapped
Scientists with the Darwin Crocodile Farm are mapping the genomes of the Saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) in order to improve production of sought after skins and meat.
"If we can increase the number of scale rows in between the neck area and the vent area, that then means that each scale is smaller, so the aesthetic appeal of the leather product is nicer," said the farm's chief scientist.
Crocodile farms are
embracing the technology to breed animals which grow faster,
produce more offspring, live longer and produce higher
quality skins.
http://abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/11/05/2082208.htm 03 November 07 Aussie croc put in cell for the night
A
feisty 2.4 metre/7.8-foot, Australian crocodile spent the
night behind bars at a police station in a remote Northern
Territory mining town after it “had a go” at some fishermen.
http://www.bordermail.com.au/news/bm/national/1000235.html China makes major achievements In restoring alligator population
State Forestry Administration (SFA) report that Chinese alligators (Alligator sinensis) are making a comeback since a program to boost their dwindling numbers was launched in 2003. During the period, 105 eggs were hatched.
Since 2003, scientists have released 15 captive-bred Chinese alligators on three separate occasions. In June, six were released in Anhui Province. A 2005 survey found that about 120 Chinese alligators were living in the wild, mostly in the Anhui Province nature reserve. The Chinese government has put the reptile at the top of its protection list. In 1979, it set up the Chinese Alligator Breeding Research Center in Anhui Province. Since then, the number of alligators at the center has risen from about 200 to more than 10,000 at present. The center said it could hatch about 1,500 reptiles annually.
http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90776/90881/6295849.html
Recollections of 35 years of alligator hunting by Arkansas native John McClendon.
In 2002, McClendon's hunting buddy Anthony Brown was bitten by a 4-foot/1.2 metre alligator while duck hunting near Bayou Bartholomew, which flows near the McClendon camp.
"The alligator clamped on Anthony's calf and would not let go," McClendon said.
"We had to use the barrel of an
unloaded 12-gauge (shotgun) to pry him off. What makes this
so incredible is that the air temperature that morning was
37°F/2.8°C. It is amazing that any reptile could be so
active in such cold water, but that little gator certainly
was. Just ask Anthony."
http://www.arkansasnews.com/archive/2007/11/03/JoeMosby/343940.html Thai farm adding valueTo crocodile leather products While most crocodile farms in Thailand focus on exporting the reptile to serve the international skin trade, a farm in eastern Thailand is developing its own brand-name to add value to its crocodile leather.
A newly-born crocodile is kept in a specially-designed pen for a year before being sold to farmers who keep it in a communal pen for another two years. This is a problem for the skin trade, because the finished crocodile leather is usually full of scratches, which determine the price of the leather. With an order for flawless leather placed now, the client has to wait around six months to two years, because it takes several years for a crocodile to grow up and a typical handbag also needs skin of two grown up crocodiles.
http://enews.mcot.net/view.php?id=1121
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/11/01/business/business_30054449.php Homeowners to gator hunters: Be quiet!
Some lakefront homeowners in Florida’s Osceola County want a quieter alligator hunt. Homeowners on the lakes say the hunter’s airboats wake them up between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. during the gator hunt. They want commissioners to ban the boats for hunters next season. http://www1.wsvn.com/news/articles/local/MI66421/
25 October 2007 First W African Congress on Crocodiles
After the success of the 18th world congress of the Crocodile Specialist Group (CSG) in France last year, gathering 300 participants of 43 different nationalities, the CSG executive committee of IUCN appointed Samuel Martin, manager of a crocodile farm and his team to organise the 1st West African congress on Crocodile conservation and breeding.
The congress will take place in the mythic Park West, La Tapoa Hotel, Niger, from November, 13th to November, 15th, 2007.
26 October 07
Mozambique sends 100,000 crocs to SA
Mozambique is set to export about 100,000 crocodiles to South Africa and Zimbabwe over the next six months.
An operation to collect crocodile eggs in the Zambezi Valley is being carried out by local fishermen in collaboration with South African crocodile breeders. "Crocodiles born in artificial incubators will be exported to South Africa and Zimbabwe," Manuel dos Santos, a spokesperson for the provincial government said.
More than 30 people have been killed by animals in the last few years in Mozambique.
"Crocodiles represent a threat to the population," said Dos Santos. http://africa.iafrica.com/c2cnews/629020.htm
31 October 07
Remote Australia croc a farm reality
Remote Australian communities across the Territory are watching with interest as pioneering Territory company Porosus begins setting up a crocodile farm at Ramingining.
The development of the nursery was announced on Sunday, with construction to begin next year.
Baby crocs will be hatched in heated
pens at the farm and grown for a year before being trucked
to Darwin Crocodile Farm.
http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2007/10/31/2486_nt-business.html Moving to improved enclosure (Flora Wang) The crocodiles in Taiwan’s Kaohsiung City's Shoushan Zoo -- one of which bit off the forearm of a zoo veterinarian in April -- can look forward to moving to a more comfortable living environment. "We will relocate animals to a more suitable space to safeguard their welfare," Deputy Director Yen Zi-cheng said; adding that the zoo would invite Tainan crocodile expert Chiu Hsi-ho to help with the relocation.
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2007/10/30/2003385438
Two Australian boys have admitted taking revenge on a 1.8 metre/ 6-foot crocodile lurking near their Cairns home, hooking it and bashing it to death with a rock. Officials are investigating the attack have warned the boys may face a $16,000 (10,500 Euro) fine, however, locals are defending the boy’s actions.
http://www.cairnspost.com.au/article/2007/10/30/4387_news.html At Valley wildlife zoo
Two white alligators have been added to the one already resident at the Wildlife World Zoo in Arizona’s Litchfield Park.
The alligators from St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park in Florida are housed in a special indoor, climate controlled room and pool with limited sunlight. They face serious challenges in the wild since their white color prevents them from camouflaging themselves in swamplands.
http://www.abc15.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=1b54d54b-649c-4d78-8dec-78a0a706687f
Crocodle sighting stops carnival
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/10/29/2072908.htm?site=northqld 29 October 07
Large
alligator
trapped in Mississippi
In Gulfport, Mississippi, it took four men to trap a 11-foot/ 3.3 metre alligator that had appeared near a local road - causing considerable traffic congestion.
"It was kind of like hooking onto a freight train, you know. They're very, very powerful animals. The only way to really catch them is to wear them down," said trapper Ryane Rawls.
"We're really sad because we found out they're going to have to kill it. But we found out people were feeding it chicken, racoons and things like that. My mom lives right by the property adjacent the property where he was laying, so we were worried abut the children's safety …. We were afraid he might get one of the kids," said a local resident.
The alligator has not eaten any
neighborhood pets or caused a disturbance, at least not
intentionally. Instead, humans were the problem.
[Video link at URL]
http://www.wlox.com/Global/story.asp?S=7277845
http://www.sunherald.com/278/story/175114.html 26 October 07 Live croc to join 'Peter Pan' stage cast
Actors in a Peter Pan
pantomime opening in the Johannesburg, South African Civic
Theatre shortly will take special care how they treat a key
cast member.
On stage will be a special guest from the Johannesburg Zoo - a 3.5metere/11.5 foot crocodile.
"He
is a well-behaved crocodile and we have never experienced
any problems with him," Senior zoo official Van der Spuy
said.
http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/News/0,,2-7-1442_2210025,00.html
The well fed 2-meter/6-foot crocodile was the last thing Australian Stanley Leszczewicz expected to catch when he tried his new lure in a Portsmith drain.
When Mr Leszczewicz showed the media how his accidental catch occurred, the croc resurfaced and took his bait again. A spokesman Cairns City Council last night said the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service would be called in to remove the croc if it became a threat.
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