In the northern Mexico border state of Tamaulipas, across from Texas, heavy rains associated with Hurricane Beryl and the earlier Tropical Storm Alberto have led at least 200 crocodiles to enter urban areas
MEXICO CITY — Heavy rains associated with Hurricane Beryl and the earlier Tropical Storm Alberto have led at least 200 crocodiles to enter urban areas in the northern Mexican state of Tamaulipas, across from Texas, state and federal authorities said this week.
So far, authorities say they have captured and relocated around 200 of the big reptiles since Alberto pelted the region with rain in June. Beryl brushed the same area before making landfall in south Texas earlier this week.
Authorities said the heavy rains raised water levels in coastal lagoons, leading the animals to crawl into cities like Tampico and the nearby cities of Ciudad Madero and Altamira, where at least 165 crocodiles have been captured and relocated.
The head of Tamaulipas state environment department, Karina Lizeth Saldívar, said in a statement that “the recent rains have increased the water levels in the lagoon systems, which had led to an increase in the sightings of crocodiles.”
The federal Attorney General’s Office for Environmental Protection said about 40 more crocodiles had been captured in the area in June and were relocated to appropriate habitat outside populated areas.
The problem may continue, the office said, noting that “as the water levels go down in places like streets and drainage canals that were flooded, crocodiles will turn up and sightings will certainly increase.”
The problem came to light this week when social media users posted videos of several crocodiles tied up in urban areas. That “caused an uproar in social media,” the department said.
Crocodiles are a protected species in Mexico. Attacks by them in Mexico are rare but have occurred.
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Heavy rains in northern Mexico have caused a unique and potentially dangerous situation as over 200 crocodiles have entered cities near the Texas border. The heavy rains, which have been ongoing for several days, have flooded the natural habitats of these reptiles, forcing them to seek higher ground in urban areas.
The influx of crocodiles into cities such as Nuevo Laredo and Reynosa has raised concerns among residents and local authorities. Crocodiles are known to be aggressive predators and can pose a threat to humans and pets if they come into contact with them. In response to the situation, officials have issued warnings to residents to be cautious and avoid areas where crocodiles have been spotted.
Efforts are also being made to safely capture and relocate the crocodiles back to their natural habitats. Trained wildlife experts are working around the clock to track down these reptiles and transport them to safer locations away from populated areas. However, the process is proving to be challenging as the crocodiles are elusive and difficult to capture.
The presence of crocodiles in urban areas is a stark reminder of the impact that extreme weather events can have on wildlife and human populations. Climate change is causing more frequent and intense rainfall in many regions, leading to flooding and displacement of animals from their natural habitats. As a result, incidents like this one may become more common in the future.
In the meantime, residents are urged to remain vigilant and report any sightings of crocodiles to local authorities. It is important to remember that these animals are not intentionally seeking out humans but are simply trying to survive in the face of changing environmental conditions. By working together, we can ensure the safety of both humans and wildlife in the face of natural disasters like heavy rains and flooding.
