Zoo curator says crocs should be left alone

Not all Belizeans share the righteous anger of those Belama residents now mourning the death of Jamaal Swift. The Belize Zoo’s Tony Garel, says that man and nature can peacefully coexist–provided we follow some common sense rules.

Tony Garel, Curator, Belize Zoo

“First of all, let me express my sympathy to the parents. I have three kids and I could certainly imagine what they’re going through. Crocodiles are at the top of the food chain, they’re predators, and when you have large predators conflicting with people, in other words if you are in the same area or the same vicinity bathing with large crocs around and in their territory, it’s usually a bad situation. So it could be territorial, and also could be that the crocodile saw the kids swimming and water splashing, not realising it was a human being and then took the opportunity.”

Jacqueline Woods

“What happens after a crocodile attacks you?”

Tony Garel

“Usually how large crocodiles attack preys, they sneak up on the prey and in a sudden burst, they charge and grab them, pull them in the water and submerge them and drown them. Most predators don’t like to go through a vicious fight with their prey. They try and subdue it as quickly, most efficient way and it’s usually by drowning in the case of crocodiles.”

Garel is familiar with the situation in Belama and recommends that authorities place signs in the area warning people of the danger and also restrict swimming in the area.