And while Tyreak is Belize's latest murder victim, a man is lucky to be alive after surviving a croc attack. Joshua Young, who is a resident of Caye Caulker, was attacked by a crocodile while diving and spearfishing on the northern side of the Split area.
A friend who was with him says, he was under the tree that everyone jumps from. That's when a a large crocodile appeared for nowhere and caught him by surprise and attacked him. Young managed to keep calm and pry open the croc's mouth, who tried to bite him again.
The friend adds, quote, "Josh is alive because he was calm and able to think enough to open that crocs mouth….It was as big as Josh and…It ambushed him from nowhere In a very people populated area! That reptile had no thoughts to let him go biting him again as he was escaping. The nurses and doctors on the island were amazing and work very fast to stabilize the bleeding and get the plane for medical airlift. He will be in surgery for a while tonight to put it all back together as well as a few days needing iv antibiotics. Josh has a long road for recovery but he will heal both mind and body.pray for him as he rest and heals." This observer adds, quote, "Swimming should be stopped in that area until this is taken care of! With all of the new construction on that side of the island many creatures are displaced and are not behaving normally".
A press release from the Forestry Department says Young has injuries to his forehead and chin. He was rushed to the KHHM, where he is currently undergoing treatment. The injuries are not life threatening and he is reported in a stable condition.
So, what about the croc?
The Department of Forestry is working with ACES Wildlife Rescue to search for and capture the crocodile. In a release, the reminded residents of the following safety habits: don't feed crocs, as it can cause them to lose their fear of humans; don't dispose of fish carcasses nearby or in area where fishing; put garbage in its proper place, not in the water or near to it; and leave crocodiles alone - keep your distance and do not try to capture of interfere with them. v Notably, this is currently mating season for crocodiles, and compounded with loss of habitat, male crocs tend to be very territorial.
