Editorial | Crocodiles have a role too

The Duhaney River in Kingston, choked as it is with garbage and other waste, is the likely habitat of a crocodile which was recently spotted in a yard in the New Haven area. This is not the first sighting in that area this year. Additionally, crocodiles have also been seen in St Catherine, St Elizabeth, Clarendon and elsewhere.

In May of this year when the island experienced heavy downpours, the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) put out an alert in which it cautioned residents to be on the lookout for crocodiles in the vicinity of swamps, rivers and gullies, which are known crocodile habitats. This latest sighting occurred during the dry, hot season. These creatures are said to crave the sun. However, when it gets too hot, they find comfort on land. With the days being so hot in recent times, it is no surprise that crocodiles, which have no sweat glands, are seeking to get cooler.

Crocodiles are an endangered animal species and protected by law. These animals can grow up to 25 feet in length. To a little girl, this must be a frightening sight to wake up to, and adults tend to be equally scared of them as their first instinct is usually to attack.

However, there are good reasons why these creatures are protected. For one thing, they feed on dead animals and prevent them from polluting water sources. Rare as they are, unprovoked crocodiles have been known to attack humans. With so many reported sightings this year, this newspaper believes there is need for more education, first on why the crocodile warrants protection. Also, on what to do if a crocodile is seen and how to defend oneself against a crocodile, or simply how to react to this protected creature. Particularly in known habitats, the people who live close by should have proper knowledge and awareness so that they can be extra cautious, especially during mating season when the females are said to be most aggressive. An understanding of crocodile behaviour will ensure that people don’t take risks.

ENCROACHING

Developers and builders who are encroaching on crocodile habitats also need to be educated on the risks they are inviting. The experts warn that, when their habitat is disturbed, it can modify the behaviour of these creatures.

Scientists have observed that a significant portion of global warming takes place in the ocean and waterways, thereby creating vulnerability for all marine mammals. The vulnerability of marine mammals to climate change is still being studied, but it has been confirmed that marine heatwaves and ocean acidification have had adverse effects on them. We have seen in recent times increased sightings of sharks at some well-known beaches in Florida and California. And, elsewhere, we have seen whales, sea turtles and manatees sharing the water with holidaymakers. This is a puzzling occurrence to marine experts, who have started to use drones to spot sharks so that they can better warn beach-goers about the dangers.

Crocodiles were once exploited for their skin which made highly marketable products such as handbags and shoes. Today, they are protected in many countries, so populations simply have to learn to co-exist with these creatures and allow them to make their own contribution to the environment.