Riviera Maya, Q.R. — After more than a week of rain, area wildlife are being forced out of their habitats and into city streets. The most common sighting from Cancun to Chetumal has been of crocodiles, however, fish and jaguars have also made the list.
Both small and large crocodiles have been spotted by urban area residents due to the overflowing of lagoons. Several reports of small crocodiles have been made by people who have managed to capture them for relocation.
Jaguars have also been seen outside of their natural habitat. Over the weekend, two separate sightings were made in urban areas of Cancun. One sighting captured a jaguar walking past a vehicle. The second was seen on home security taunting a dog inside a dog house.
The small crocodiles have been found either in or nearby large puddles, some in parking areas. A family in Chetumal came across a small crocodile parked behind their truck. Using a stick to encourage a bite, the small reptile was easily relocated to a nearby mangrove.
Residents in Cancun also reported seeing a large crocodile nearing residential areas after the overflowing of the Manatí Lagoon. Another smaller crocodile was captured by the Cancun fire department Saturday after a man reported seeing it in a street puddle.
Gonzalo Aldana Pech from the Institute of Biodiversity and Protected Natural Areas of Quintana Roo (Ibanqroo) said the crocodiles being seen in residential areas are likely occurring because they are looking for a place to take refuge.
Fish have also been seen swimming up streets in the state’s capital city. The unusual sighting was made Friday morning along Francisco Bocanegra Avenue after the nearby La Sabana lagoon overflowed in Chetumal.
