Puerto Jiménez and Río Claro are some of the areas of the country that have witnessed crocodile attacks on people. On February 18th, Golfito Hospital received two of these cases.
Despite this situation and despite the fact that the Ministry of Environment and Energy asked the National Crocodile Commission for studies on the population of crocodiles in the rivers and aquifers of the country, no results have been delivered.
The Minister, Édgar Gutiérrez, stated that this Commission should conduct a study to determine whether or not there is overpopulation of this species and also to locate them, but still waiting for results.
He also warned Costa Ricans and foreign tourists to respect the areas where these animals live.
Costa Rica is a tropical country […] this is the habitat of the crocodile, so we have to learn to live with them and not invade their territory,”
said Gutiérrez, who added that, in case of overpopulation confirmed by a scientific study, they would authorize hunting to a certain extent.
Gutiérrez concluded by warning people not to ignore the signage and respect the spaces. On the other hand, they have to listen to experts and not feed crocodiles, as it happened in Tárcoles and Tamarindo.
Wildlife should not be fed, wildlife is to be observed at a distance, we cannot interact with wildlife because we do not want to break those relationships that nature has established and we must learn and obey SINAC officials and their warnings,”
said the hierarch.