Crocodile Alert in Chetumal Bay: Stay Safe

Chetumal, Mexico — The director of the Institute of Biodiversity and Protected Natural Areas of Quintana Roo (Ibanqroo), Javier Carballar, has issued a call to the population of Chetumal to exercise caution regarding the presence of crocodiles in the bay. This warning follows a recent report of a reptile attacking a pet.

The official explained that while the bay is the natural habitat for crocodiles, the constant presence of people in the area and a lack of signage increase the risk of incidents.

“It is important to learn to coexist with wildlife. Crocodiles are not aggressive by nature, but they react when they feel invaded or when there is food nearby,” he stated.

Authorities are asking the public not to approach the areas where these reptiles rest.

Carballar warned that many families have normalized proximity to these animals without measuring the danger of approaching their resting or feeding areas. He said these types of situations are aggravated by the irresponsible ownership of pets, as unleashed dogs and cats can attract crocodiles or alter their behavior.

“Pets are domestic species, foreign to this ecosystem. When they roam the shoreline of the bay, they interfere with the wildlife and expose themselves to unnecessary risks,” he added.

Regarding the lack of signage to warn visitors about the presence of crocodiles, Carballar explained that it is the responsibility of municipal authorities, with support from Ibanqroo, to install signs in strategic points. He also acknowledged that the monitoring of the crocodile population has not been updated for at least a decade.

“The last study was conducted between eight and ten years ago, and it recorded a relative density of approximately 1.2 crocodiles per kilometer. It is urgent to reactivate a monitoring and conservation program that includes environmental education, rescue, and care for at-risk specimens,” he pointed out.

The director of Ibanqroo affirmed that the conservation of this species requires collaboration from academic institutions, state agencies, and municipal authorities. He reiterated that the key is prevention, through informational campaigns and visible signage, to prevent incidents with wildlife and guarantee the safety of the inhabitants and visitors to the bay.