Jamaica's crocodile guard fights for the protection of feared reptiles

Jamaica's crocodile guard fights for the protection of feared reptiles

in the glowing sunlight of Jamaica, where the wetlands shine and are full of life, an ancient robber disappears. In the world there is, for example,

the American crocodile: from the horror to disappear

The American crocodile (crocodyyl acutus) was once revered and feared on the island, dominated the mangroves and coastal lakes. But in recent years the population has been due to illegal hunting, habitat loss and plastic pollution as well as killings that result from a persistent fear of the locals,

the crocodile guard

Lawrence Henriques has made it a life work to change that. Known as "the crocodile guard", he has fought for the survival of these animals for the past four decades. He leads the Holland Bay Crocodile Sanctuary , a Grassroots nature conservation project on the island, which is on the side of what he is one of the last liable Jamaica's crocodile habitats.

rescue and rearing

From this remote place, he tries to undo the damage: to cultivate sick crocodiles again healthy, to raise them up and to restore their number in the wild. "There is a real fear of crocodiles in Jamaica," says Henriques. "Many people do not tolerate them. If one appears in the back yard, it is often killed because of the meat or simply out of fear."

The reality of the brick attacks

Although crocodiles are often considered aggressive and dangerous, attacks are rare. According to the global database Crocattack there have been 11 incidents in the past ten years, including a deadly attack in 2018. Henriques is therefore working about changing the narrative about these animals and making people understand that they are much less threatening than their reputation suggests.

at home and study of crocodiles

henriques, who grew up in the Jamaican capital Kingston in the 1960s, always had a preference for "creeping creatures". But the crocodiles fascinated him the most. "There were much more crocodiles and much more living space these days," he recalls. "I always had half a dozen baby crocodiles that I raised in my bedroom." This fascination finally became his calling. After studying abroad and working with the Scientific Exploration Society, a British charity in Belize, he returned to Jamaica in 1980. He was shocked that despite the classification of the crocodiles as endangered in the context of the law 1971 hardly taken any practical nature conservation measures.

challenges of nature conservation

henriques offered the Jamaican government to support, saved crocodiles and gave rehabilitation while working in the citrus industry at the same time. He campaigned for the animals for almost 20 years before moving to London for a short time. When he returned to Jamaica in 2010, he founded the Holland Bay Crocodile Sanctuary, a facility that is devoted to rescue, rehabilitation and public education.

insight into the problems of illegal trade

Despite legal protective measures, crocodiles face themselves in Jamaica growing threats. Wildery is widespread and often driven by the demand for meat or misunderstood discomfort. The environmental officer Leighton Mamdeen from the National Environment and Planning Agency ( NEPA ) says: "The poach is definitely a big problem." According to reports, there is a flourishing black market for crocodile meat and eggs in Jamaica, whereby the meat is sold for up to $ 5,000 in Jamaica ($ 31) per pound-more than ten times the price of chicken meat.

the loss of habitats

Development is another killer. The mangrove and wetlands of Jamaica are cleared in favor of tourism and residential buildings. This affects the country's coastal protection measures, since mangrove reduce wave energy and storm surges and help prevent flooding. In addition, this loss damages biodiversity because it serves as a nursery for fish and as a vital habitat for species such as crocodiles. With the reduction of their territory, crocodiles get closer to humans.

raise awareness

Despite the challenges, there is a cautious glimmer of hope. Henriques and NEPA have strengthened their public relations and educational programs, especially in areas near crocodile habitats. "One of the most sustainable measures we have taken is to visit schools," says Mamdeen. "If you start with the children, you have a greater chance of securing the future of animals."

"We can't lose them," says Henriques. "You have been here for a long time than we have. You belong to this country."