As the city expands into what used to be mangroves and swamps, our new homes are invading the former habitats of many wetland creatures, most formidable among them, the crocodile. And every now and then we get called out for stories of crocodiles appearing in those new residential neighborhoods on the extension streets west of Central American Boulevard.
That's what happened on Friday, when a fairly small croc - about 4 feet long was found in a drain. But even more interesting is that the croc was found two blocks west of Central American Boulevard in the drain near a heavily populated area of Raccoon Street Extension. It was captured by Edwin X who didn't take all the credit. He and a young man wrestled the croc out of the drain and subdued it. Yesterday, Edwin X told Keith Swift that it was a danger to the neighborhood, and he did the right thing, but he's not quite sure what to do next.
Edwin X, Captured Crocodile
"According to some girls they saw this thing moving and some more people came up and saw that it is a crocodile and when I come out everybody tried to catch the crocodile but a young youth and myself caught the crocodile and that is how we got it."
Keith Swift,
What will do with it?
Edwin X,
"Well I think we are going to eat this one. Honestly it is best for us to eat it because if we eat it, it will never get big to eat anybody."
Keith Swift,
Aren't you afraid?
Edwin X,
A bit and that is why I have the mouth tied."
Keith Swift,
How will you cook it?
Edwin X,
"No not me, somebody else who likes to eat crocodile I will sell it to."
Keith Swift,
You were telling the concern about where you found it because it was in a drain on Raccoon Street.
Edwin X,
"My concern is that it is very dangerous because there are kids around and dogs and crocodiles will eat dogs. Maybe not the kids but the kid dogs are definitely going to get eaten."
Keith Swift,
The law says you can't have a crocodile tied up.
Edwin X,
"Well I don't know what to say about that. I think it is better to have it tied up like this than in the drain. If I had found it in the jungle I would have left it alone but I found it in the city."
Often times croc catchers call the forestry department which releases the animals back into the wild. Of course for crocodiles - where it was found on Raccoon Street Extension is the wild.
7NEWS produced for broadcast by News Director Jules Vasquez
Edited and Prepared for the internet by Keith Swift
