Huge crocodile scared swimmers in Salt River

A 12-foot crocodile was captured in Salt River, Clarendon, on a Sunday morning after giving the local swimmers a fright during their weekend recreation. Terrestrial biologist, Damion Whyte revealed, “We received a call that the reptile was seen and that members of the Caribbean Coastal Area Management (CCAM) team had responded. I was in the area with friends celebrating my birthday so we went to give assistance.”

Upon arrival at the disturbing scene, Damion Whyte and his companions found the CCAM team engrossed in the daunting task of capturing the colossal crocodile. “Seeing the creature in the wild was a compelling, albeit frightening experience. The swimmers weren’t shy about expressing their panic,” Whyte later recounted.

Salt River is a popular spot for swimming and boating activities, particularly on weekends. Thus, the presence of the large crocodile posed a significant threat. While not typically dangerous to humans unless provoked or threatened, a 12-foot crocodile could pose a risk, especially in crowded public areas.

While the CCAM team, Whyte, and his friends, who are also scientists, secured the reptile, members of Jamaica Constabulary Force managed crowd control.

According to the Jamaica Observer, “The crocodile was processed, measured; a PIT tag was placed in the animal; and it was relocated in a wetland — out the reach of humans,” Whyte explained, adding that they reiterated to people at the scene that crocodiles are protected by law and should not be harmed.

PIT (Passive Integrated Transponder) tags help scientists track individual organisms by providing a reliable lifetime ‘barcode’ for an individual animal. An important aspect of understanding animal migration is the ability to track and recognise individuals over time and space.

The tags do not require power. Instead, they have an internal microchip that is activated when it passes close to a special antenna.

Whyte, known for his popular Rooster’s World social media posts, discussed the social media buzz following the capture of a crocodile. He mentioned that while some people expressed fear of swimming due to crocodiles, such incidents are rare in Jamaica. He advised against scaling fish in water near swimming areas to prevent attracting crocodiles.