Cozumel, Q.R. — A three-meter-long crocodile was captured and removed from a beach area of Cozumel after the roaming reptile was reported to authorities. The capture of the croc took place along the beaches of Chankanaab Park.
Beachgoers reported the reptile to park staff, who in turn, requested the support of the Civil Protection to capture it. Authorities arrived and were successful in capturing the crocodile, who said he weighed in at around 150 kilos. He was removed from the beach and transferred to the Punta Sur Ecotourism Park where he was released into his natural habitat.
Authorities report that approximately six crocodiles have been relocated to the island so far this year. According to Civil Protection Directorate, between 2011 to 2018, they have captured a total of 67 of these reptiles. They are considered a threatened species by the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (Profepa) in accordance with NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010.