New Crocodile Species Found in Mexico’s Punta Sur?

Cozumel, Mexico — The Punta Sur Ecological Reserve served as the backdrop for a scientific documentation effort as part of an audiovisual report. The journalistic project, set to be published by the environmental news outlet Mongabay LATAM, is led by environmental reporter Patricio Medina and videographer Miguel Ángel Guillermo. The team captured footage and testimonies in the "Laguna Colombia" area, a natural habitat for crocodiles with unique characteristics that may classify them as a new species.

Scientific Expeditions Highlight Biodiversity

The visit is part of a series of international segments titled Scientific Expeditions, produced by Mongabay LATAM, which has a broad reach across Latin America and the world. During their stay in Cozumel, the documentary team was accompanied by biologist Héctor González Cortés, deputy director of the Punta Sur Ecotourism Park, a division of the Cozumel Parks and Museums Foundation (FPMC). The team expressed gratitude for the access and key information provided for the filming.

The expedition is linked to over a decade of research conducted by Dr. José Ávila and Dr. Pierre Charruau, members of the Crocodile Specialist Group of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Species Survival Commission. According to the experts, the crocodiles inhabiting Cozumel and Banco Chinchorro exhibit genetic, morphological, and ecological differences compared to other known species, which could lead to their recognition as new scientific species.

Potential Expansion of Mexico’s Crocodile Diversity

If confirmed, this discovery would increase Mexico’s officially recognized crocodile species from three to five, solidifying the country’s position as one of the most biodiverse in terms of these reptiles. During filming, the crocodiles were observed in their natural habitat, yielding valuable material for scientific outreach.

The filmmakers also highlighted the FPMC’s efforts in ecosystem conservation, restoration, and environmental education—key factors in protecting endemic and at-risk species.

Conservation Efforts Aligned with State Policy

FPMC Director General Juanita Alonso Marrufo emphasized that this collaboration aligns with the New Agreement for the Well-being and Development of Quintana Roo, promoted by Governor Mara Lezama Espinosa, which prioritizes the protection of the state’s natural heritage.

“Opening Punta Sur as a living laboratory reinforces our vision that scientific knowledge should be shared to raise environmental awareness and contribute to the common good. This documentary is an opportunity to showcase Cozumel’s ecological significance and the efforts to preserve its biodiversity,” she stated.

Through such initiatives, the FPMC continues to advance scientific research, conservation, and the promotion of Cozumel as a model for balancing nature and sustainable development.