Technical personnel from the Coahuila State Secretariat of Natural Resources (Semarnat) went to the Palo Blanco Dam, located in the municipality of Ramos Arizpe, following a report of crocodile sightings.
Upon arrival, they detected the presence of two crocodiles, which had been introduced into the water by private individuals, as they are not a species native to Coahuila.
A call was received by the 911 emergency system on February 10, alerting authorities to the presence of a Morelet’s crocodile (Crocodylus moreletii) in the dam in the municipality located in the southeastern region of the state.
In a statement, the State Secretariat of the Environment reported that the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (PROFEPA) was formally notified, as these are wildlife specimens under federal jurisdiction, in order to coordinate the appropriate actions.
It should be noted that the Morelet’s crocodile is listed under the Special Protection (Pr) category, in accordance with NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010. In this regard, a formal request was sent to the General Directorate of Wildlife of SEMARNAT to obtain the corresponding authorization for its control and handling.
This Wednesday, February 11, personnel from the Ministry of the Environment, PROFEPA (Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection), and specialists from the Desert Museum proceeded to set traps for the safe capture of the specimen, with the aim of relocating and properly safeguarding it.
In coordination with the Federal Government, a suitable site for its final destination is being analyzed, either in a museum or zoo in the state of Tamaulipas that has the appropriate technical conditions.
Source: excelsior
