By Breaking Belize News Staff: A crocodile seen tied up as a brawl unfolded in a viral video posted by Breaking Belize News on Belize City’s Southside was safely rescued and relocated Sunday night, but police say charges may follow from the incident, while wildlife responders warn that a second, larger crocodile may still be in the Dolphin Street neighborhood.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Hilberto Romero, Head of the National Crime Investigation Branch, confirmed Monday that police have seen the video and that the matter has been referred to the department’s Cybercrime Unit.
Romero said police can investigate potentially criminal acts captured in videos circulating online even without waiting for someone to make a formal complaint.
He said investigators will seek to identify the persons involved and determine whether any offences were committed.
Police are also reviewing the handling of the crocodile, which is a protected animal in Belize, and Romero said persons involved could face charges if investigators determine that an offence was committed.
The Crocodile Research Coalition (CRC) became aware of the incident after the video began circulating online and members of the public contacted and tagged wildlife organizations.
Dr. Marisa Tellez, founder and Executive Director of the CRC, said the footage appeared to show that the crocodile had been captured but was not properly restrained and was being teased or harassed.
Tellez said such treatment of a protected animal could potentially result in charges under Belize’s wildlife laws.
CRC volunteers Erica Holding and Austin Bennett subsequently responded to Dolphin Street on Belize City’s Southside at around 10:15 p.m.
Holding said that by the time they arrived, police were already at the location and the crocodile had been moved into a shed.
Residents had restrained the animal using electrical wire, cable and a cloth.
The volunteers removed those restraints, properly secured the crocodile and transported it from the area with assistance from police.
Despite the chaotic circumstances seen in the viral video, Holding and Bennett said the crocodile did not appear to have suffered injuries during the incident.
Bennett said the animal had minor wounds which appeared to have been caused by previous encounters with other crocodiles.
The crocodile was subsequently released into suitable habitat away from the heavily populated area.
The CRC does not reveal such specific locations where animals are released as doing so could place relocated wildlife at risk.
Holding also revealed that residents reported seeing two crocodiles frequenting the neighborhood.
CRC believes both animals may be males and may have been involved in an ongoing territorial fight.
The crocodile captured Sunday night was reportedly the smaller of the two, while the larger animal left the area after its rival was caught.
That means the second crocodile may still be somewhere in or around the Dolphin Street area.
Holding said she collected contact information from residents and asked them to provide photographs or videos if the larger crocodile reappears.
She and Bennett will then assess whether the animal needs to be captured and relocated or whether removing the smaller male from the area has resolved the problem.
Romero said investigators will meanwhile review both the fight captured in the viral footage and the circumstances surrounding the crocodile’s handling.
No charges had been announced as of Monday.
The post Belize Is Not A Real Place? Croc caught in viral Southside brawl rescued; charges may follow while larger croc remains in neighborhood appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: A crocodile seen tied up as a brawl unfolded in a viral video posted by Breaking Belize News on Belize City’s Southside was safely rescued and relocated Sunday night, but police say charges may follow from the incident, while wildlife responders warn that a second, larger crocodile may still be
The post Belize Is Not A Real Place? Croc caught in viral Southside brawl rescued; charges may follow while larger croc remains in neighborhood appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
