Chetumal, Q.R. — A 10-year resident of the Zaazil Ecological Park in Chetumal has been transferred to a new habitat. Chencho the crocodile was removed from the artificial lake where he had been living for the past decade and moved to a new home after authorities felt he posed a threat to visitors.
Normally, three-meter long Chencho only maked an appearance during the cool weather, however, he had been regularly spotted during the state’s hot days. Staff from the Parque Ecológico Zaazil de Chetumal decided to relocate the crocodile due to his increased activity.
Alondra Martínez Flores, director of Environment and Ecology in Othón P. Blanco, explained that Chencho began leaving the lake more frequently and heading for a space that is used by residents for sports and recreation purposes.
“In the past, there has been an attempt to remove it from the lake. It has even been sedated but was not captured because he hides, making it difficult to contain and remove him from the lake for relocation to a more suitable area,” he explained.
He said the crocodile has been the attraction of the park for 10 years and that it is in good health, since just last year, it was evaluated by a veterinarian who only detected the reptile as being overweight.
Environmental officials from Procuraduría Federal de Protección al Ambiente (Profepa) along with the Directorate of Environment and Ecology and help from local firemen, were finally successful in capturing and relocating Chencho to another site in the Río Hondo where other crocodiles have been found.