Tourists throwing rocks lead to crocodile attack in Tulum
For the second time this month, tourists throwing rocks at a wild animal have caused an unfortunate incident.
Panchito, a Morelet’s crocodile (Crocodylus moreletii), has lived in Casa Cenote in Tulum, Mexico, for years.
Panchito is a bit of a celebrity. Tourists visit Casa Cenote not just to have fun in the cool waters, but also to swim alongside Panchito. Many visitors then post videos of the cenote’s beauty, including its most famous resident.
Casa Cenote is popular for swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving. Cenote tours are some of the most popular activities in Tulum.
Up until now, there have been no reported attacks involving Panchito. The crocodile grew up accustomed to being near humans, and most visitors were respectful. That changed this week.
The Tulum Times reports, “According to witnesses at the scene, several visitors had been throwing stones at the crocodile as it swam near the bank, apparently attempting to provoke a reaction and capture it on video. Minutes later, the animal bit the elderly man, triggering alarm among tourists and site workers present. The severity of the victim’s injuries has not been officially confirmed.”
Attacks are always possible when wild animals and humans interact. But when humans lack respect for the animal, those risks increase. This can be dangerous not only for the animal but for other people nearby.
I hope the victim makes a full recovery. I also hope that Panchito doesn’t pay the price for tourists who invaded his natural habitat and provoked him for a video.
This is the second recent incident involving people throwing rocks at a beloved wild animal, following a tourist in Maui who threw rocks at a seal.
If you’re in a space where wild animals are present, always treat them with respect. Keep your distance, don’t feed them, and observe all signs and local laws. And this should go without saying, but apparently it needs to be repeated: Don’t throw rocks at them!
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