Cancun, Q.R. — A boy between the ages of eight and 10 years old was bitten by a crocodile Friday night. Preliminary reports say the incident happened around 10:00 p.m. near the Nichupté lagoon in the Cancun Hotel Zone when the reptile came from the nearby mangrove and grabbed the boy.
He was rescued by his parents and rushed to hospital from the area of Kilometer 21.5 of Kukulcán Boulevard. Hotel staff called emergency 911, requesting the ambulance that took him to hospital in serious condition. He is said to be stable.
Details of his injuries have not been released. Witnesses to the event said that the boy was walking when a crocodile suddenly appeared and grabbed him by his arm, however, his parents were able to prevent him from being pulled into the water.
Authorities have not confirmed if the family are locals or visitors to the area.
On Friday, a small crocodile roaming a public Playa del Carmen beach was reported.
On June 16, Cancun residents in SM 34 called local firemen for help after they spotted a large crocodile walking around a residential neighborhood. Firemen responded to the call, arriving to locate and capture the several-meter long crocodile, which was returned to its natural habitat.
