Cancun, Q.R. — A section of sidewalk along Kukulcán Boulevard in the Cancun Hotel Zone has been closed off to the public. Personnel from the Directorate of Ecology and Civil Protection made the decision to close the sidewalk area after locating nesting crocodiles.
On Wednesday evening, city personnel verified two crocodiles in the lagoon near the sidewalk. At least one is believed to be a nesting female who, authorities say, is likely to become aggressive while incubating her eggs.
“It is important to understand that when this species is in the nesting season, they are very territorial and protective. Even in removing the eggs for artificial incubation, the specimen will continue to monitor and protect this area as if the eggs were still there,” authorities posted in a statement.
According to information from the City Council of Cancun, two 2-meter long crocodiles were seen around 6:00 p.m. Wednesday on the shore of the lagoon. In response, the city sent firemen to close off the area.
The Civil Protection photos below from March 28, 2024 show the crocodiles behind the wooden protection with a Cancun fireman — second photo — monitoring the female.
Large boards were built and secured around the lagoon shore where initially one reptile was seen. In a statement, the city reported “the female was near the nest to protect the eggs that were there. Therefore, in the first instance, the fire team proceeded to delimit the area with preventive tape.”
However, a second citizen report confirmed the presence of a second crocodile on the same lagoon shore later that afternoon. That is when firemen put up a wood protector flanked by a metal fence with red ‘peligroso’ (danger) tape. The area is being kept under surveillance by city officials.
According to State Civil Protection, mating occurs between March and August and nesting between August and October, however, there are times when it occurs outside those months. It takes an average of nine to 10 weeks for crocodile eggs to hatch. Environmental personnel did not say how far along the eggs were in the incubation period.
Late Thursday, Civil Protection posted a reminder “it is very important to remain alert when traveling through mangrove areas that border sidewalks and walkways.”
