Tuesday, August 21st, 2007...2:59 pm
Residents kill croc in Portland Cottage
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A reader gave us these photographs of a crocodile which might have been trying to escape from Hurricane Dean on Sunday night. However the crocodile never contended with the residents of Portland Cottage, Clarendon. Encountering the crocodile they duly chopped and shot to the creature to death.
However those residents should be aware that crocodiles are a protected species in Jamaica and that the Wildlife Protection Act of 1971 prohibits the hunting, capturing or killing of the reptile. It is also illegal to have in your possession, the whole or any part of the crocodile.
Disobeying the law is punishable with a $100,000 fine or 12 months imprisonment.
37 Comments
August 21st, 2007 at 3:20 pm
Did they have to kill the crocodile? Were the residents lives in imminent danger with respect to the crocodile,if not ,so why kill it?This is troubling!!It is full time we as a people star to obey the laws of the land,in this case the Wildlife Protection Act.
August 21st, 2007 at 3:40 pm
How do you know that the residents lives were not in danger. It’s better to be safe than sorry. I certainly would not want that dangerous creature in my surroundings.
Those poor folks might not have even known that what they did was against the law.
August 21st, 2007 at 4:24 pm
Petal,my statement is based on the fact that the writer of the caption categorically stated that “the crocodile never contended the residents” suggesting that the crocodile was not combative or offensive. Certainly, no one wants crocodiles lurking in their neigborhoods or surroundings, but killing the crocodile, if the residents lives were not in any imminent danger from a non-combative and non offensive crocodile suggests that the residents over reacted.This area of Jamaica is Portland Cottage,the southern tip of the parish of Clarendon.I can assure you that crocodiles are not novel to the residents of this area.Consequently,residents do have some cursory knowledge of the law since they are residing in an area where crocodiles also habitate.Interestingly, ignorance of the law is no excuse.Definitely,it is better to be safe than sorry,but in this case I am sorry for the crocodile.RESPECT!
August 21st, 2007 at 4:42 pm
Reid
I agree with you whole heartedly. i feel liek we are too quick to destroy life, especially if its of no threat to us.
August 21st, 2007 at 5:44 pm
all of you talking rubbish if i see that giant lizard in my back yard i am going to kill it i will not alow it to hurt my family so u can all sit there and talk foolisness
August 21st, 2007 at 6:28 pm
i agree with u parker..one bag a foolishness..they wasn’t in the situation, so they can talk all that rubbish..
August 21st, 2007 at 6:43 pm
This is so typical of some of us. The ones who espouse the few that the crocodile should have been killed without regard to the issue of whether it was threat to human lives are the same ones responsible for the decimation of some many of our other indigenious species. This idea that one should kill without though to the consequences of such actions is part and parcel of whats plaguing our society.
August 21st, 2007 at 6:52 pm
These reptiles will not hesitate to kill us and our beloved.
So Esteban and Andre can run themselves off at the mouth and say, “Poor crocodile, they shouldn’t have killed it.”
Now if the shoe was on the other foot it would be, “Have you heard about the little boy that got killed by a crocodile in Portland Cottage?”
That’s if they find a body for the poor child.
Talk about shoes, where did I put my crocodile boots?
August 21st, 2007 at 6:55 pm
Guys you must think of young children. What if they were out playing and this thing decide to attack them? would you as an adult having seen this croc lurking around and because of law you simply ignore it until after it eat one you kids?
Yes we should obey the law but sometime when danger lurk close by our instinct is to act first and then think later
August 21st, 2007 at 7:18 pm
I support the argument of preserving life, both man and animal. However, I believe that some of us are more concerned about animal welfare. Have we forgotten that “we” are made in God’s image, and, our lives are more important than any animal. Perhaps the residents did over-react in a panic, but, the croc may have exercised it’s own defense mechanism (by attacking someone) if given the opportunity.
August 21st, 2007 at 8:51 pm
my vote goes to esteban. i remember as a child in kingston,people used to chase bull frogs and stone the animal to death,even while the bull frog retreated. they would then throw salt on the disabled frog and watch it evaporate and die slowly. i believe this same attitude has contributed to the wanton,mercyless murders and mayhem jamaica is undergoing. the miami-everglades area has a large alligator population,more so than not an alligator straying off the protected area is captured alive,maybe persons living in those areas should be trained to handle such a situation.
August 21st, 2007 at 11:01 pm
I agree that it is the persistant disregard for human life and respect for others that is a festering sore in Jamaica and this stems from (as Victoria said) not teaching children that life is to be respected and even a frog deserves to live. On the other hand consider the stress and fear everyone was facing with the oncoming hurricane. How can we judge a situation like that from a distance…I love animals but I tell you, if I am faced with floods, my little house about to float away, maybe losing everything I have worked for, my children crying and the wind whistling through my house, the last thing I would be thinking is that I could be fined for killing an animal that poses yet another potential danger. Who is going to watch this croc to make sure it stays away from us, our kids? Who has time to be worried that in the midst of running for cover I might lose a leg. I think the lawmakers, the animal societies and God would understand such a response. Again, the random act of killing animals, torturing them for fun is not something I tolerate but survival comes first.
August 22nd, 2007 at 5:48 am
We probably do not have the full facts of the situation. The best course of action would probably have been to make sure everyone stayed safely indoors. Then if someone such as Charles Swaby could have been contacted, or another crocodile expert, the creature may have been returned safely to its habitat. I agree with one posters comment - some members of society are too quick to take direct, destructive action, with little thought given or regard for the law.
August 22nd, 2007 at 8:50 am
JAsoldier: Well said!
August 22nd, 2007 at 10:14 am
Wow,
Nicely said everyone. It is very easy to say you would not kill because your were not placed in the situation. who knows what would have happened had they not killed the croc. I support wildlife and all it glory but at some point we have to stop hugging the trees and start thinking rationally. It was a hurriacne.. Lots of water and who knows whether or not that croc was nesting… Yes we should respect the laws of th land but at the same time don’t be too quick to judge others until you are placed in the same predicament. PEACE
August 22nd, 2007 at 11:54 am
I understand both points of view put forth by fellow bloggers. I believe that if one finds oneself being attacked by a crocodile then by all means he must do what he has to do to survive. That being said, it seems as if this reptile was not poised to attack but rather found himself in the same position as those facing the storm. In certain countries there are mechanisms in place for citizens to alert authorities who are trained to capture/rescue/subdue wildlife in a humane manner. In this case there was no time to even think about it and instincts coupled with defense reflexes kicked in. Woefully, the crocodile which sits atop Jamaica’s coat of arms seems to be endangered.
August 22nd, 2007 at 2:01 pm
Like many persons who responded to this article, I would have rather destroyed the animals than have them lurk somewhere around and hurt my loved ones. Many persons who were venturing outside to look at the damage done to their property by Dean could have been hurt or even killed by these monsters. I would have definitely tried to get rid of these things once and for all.
August 22nd, 2007 at 2:05 pm
I understand all about the need to preserve our wildlife but in that instance, if I had been faced with the same scenario, my response would have been in the defensive. The lives of my loved ones take precedence over everything else. We wanna preserve wildlife but we also want to preserve human life and in this instance, it is all about priority.
I don’t like how the guys in the photos seemed to be gloating though.
August 23rd, 2007 at 3:31 am
Kill the crocodile! welfare of animals?? are you kidding me??. What about the wlefare of people? do you guys know how dangerous crocodiles are? I am not advocating that people go into their habitat and kill them. However, I am totally for exterminating them when they find themselves in our habitat, where they can kill our children. And, there is no corelation between disregard for animal life and disregard for human life. Actually, it is offensive to equate human life with animal life, which is what Esteban and Andre seem to be doing.
August 23rd, 2007 at 11:24 am
They all should be punished by NEPA. I am incensed.
August 23rd, 2007 at 11:25 am
I am incensed. They all should be punished by NEPA.
August 23rd, 2007 at 1:23 pm
I am aghast! totally unbelieavably! The poor crocodile did not pose a threat to man or mammal. To see that the residents just cut its throat is just wrong. We all know that after a major floor or hurricane it is possible that the croc 9and other creatures) may loose its habitat. To just kill it like that is just wrong. No wonder we don’t have regard for people’s lives because we kill the dumb animals without much thought. I am so hurting….
August 23rd, 2007 at 2:53 pm
all of u who said dont kill the crocdile ,wat would u do if u come face to face with the reptile? answer that
August 23rd, 2007 at 7:40 pm
All dem peeple weh a taak bout, crocodile dis an crocodile dat; Dem a eediat.
Well di damn ting ded an mi glad seh a no sumaddy pickney di ol reptile kill. Kill it blouse an skirt yes!
Taak bout, “I’m incensed.” Incensed my arse. Kill di damn reptile befo it kill wi or wi pickney dem. Mi nat even want all dem deh kine a dutty animal come any weh near mi enemy dem dawg. To rahtid.
And if you can not understand this script, ask the nearest yardman or rude girl to translate for you.
Respek to Mike Rotch.
August 24th, 2007 at 7:59 am
Kill or be killed.
Answer honestly; which would you prefer?
Oh little Johnny, you can’t play out today nor tomorrow. Come to think of it, you can’t play out forever because a crocodile IS lurking outside the house.
Sorry boss, I can’t come in to work today. I’m burying my babyfather, he was killed by a crocodile last week.
Shut up you sandal wearing, tree hugging idiots!
Talking bout “I’m aghast, I’m so incensed, I’m so hurting.”
What do you know about hurt?
Shut it!
August 26th, 2007 at 10:15 am
They could have stayed safely away from the poor creature. It happend all the time in Florida and all they do is bring him back to the wild because he got lost. Crocodiles do not like to interact with humans as much a human dont like to interact with them. People in Jamaica are tooo quick to destroy what they do not understand and they invest no time in trying to understand it.
August 26th, 2007 at 3:38 pm
of course if know much about hurt…… hurt is pumping 30 shots into my brother’s body because he tried to do what’s right. Hurt is a woman having a child whey oonu wutliss man nah mine….. hurt is seeing an old robbed at gunpoint and hurt is CERTAINLY seeing that man with the machete at the neck of the crocodile who just wandered out of its natural habitat after a storm.
So for you ignoramus out there who think that because someone speak up about what they think is right renders them an ass or idiaat — just think again… today a corcodile—- tomorrow your child or sister or mother
August 26th, 2007 at 3:47 pm
listen to me ! wunna mad in jamaica or sumting ? if i see a crocodile in my yard or near my yard…i goin kill it ! quick too ! if dat croc did go an eat somebody child , what would those idiots me saying ? we are not at the top of the food chain because we are bigger …we are at the top because we are smarter..thus , if we see danger, we make moves to eliminate it, such as battening down ur house in a hurricane…or….killing a lurking crocodile…good luck jamaica, stay strong..
August 27th, 2007 at 6:05 pm
No reason to kill the croc, look at the pictures, if was trying to escape the storm live everyone else. If it was in someone house then I can understand it was a threat to peolpe lives. Its outside leave it alone. Dat croc wasn’t out hunting in 150 mph winds and things falling around him. Some people too trigger happy and too idle. Humans are way more dangerous than a croc.
August 27th, 2007 at 9:30 pm
Sad comments from some ill informed people. Baje has no idea what he’s talking about and as for Mike Hunt well with a mentality like his, he’s a good example of what is wrong with Jamaica today..with such a high murder rate who could possibly care about a crocodile..the average Jamaican does not..I know..I lived in Jamaica for some years and once attempted to save a croc on the Palisadoes Road from an impromptu lynching..well I almost got lynched myself. The wildlife authorities should have those people identified (there are ways and means to do that) and they should be prosecuted.
August 29th, 2007 at 7:18 pm
I”VE READ ALL YOUR BLOGS AND WHATEVER YOU ALL WANT TO CALL THEM. THE ONLY THING I NEED TO KNOW IS WHERE DID THE GUN CAME FROM THAT SHOT THE CROC. WAS IT ANOTHER ILLEGAL GUN IN THE HANDS OF A CRIMINAL. NO ONE MENTION ANYTHING ABOUT THAT .WE ALL RUN OUR MOUTHS ABOUT JAMAICA DIS AND JAMAICA DAT. THE HOLDER OF THE GUN WHO SHOT THAT CROC IS WHATS WRONG WITH JAMAICA. THINK ABOUT THAT
August 30th, 2007 at 10:55 am
What happened to my comment?
August 30th, 2007 at 4:32 pm
Garry you are so right about that… In my pain i never even catch on to that point.
Yeah! what a bout the gun…. was it from a licenced firearm holder … I know NOT…
By the way crocodile are protected as a species so how cum mi noh hear none a de wildlife peeple dem sey nutten bout it….
A guess a because it noh found inna fi dem backyaad
August 31st, 2007 at 9:12 am
We have weighed in on the subject and I hope that the authorities will learn from this story so that in the future, machinery can be put in place to safeguard lives of both man and beast. Chances are that crocodiles will continue to be displaced as we are in the hurricane season. At this writing there is already another area of disturbance out in the Atlantic (heading towards the Lesser Antilles) and if there is further development, Jamaica’s south coast MAY be in for some action. Check this URL http://www.wunderground.com/tropical/ - click on Invest 94l and view the computer models if you wish. The Gleaner may have to set up a nameless Hurricane Blog.
August 31st, 2007 at 11:34 am
i think its ovious that the men aproached the beat first. that animal was just trying to live its life. not harming anyone.
October 11th, 2007 at 10:47 am
oh mon dieu (french for ‘Oh My God’)! They really did that? Killed to poor croc? I am Jamaican but i cant believe they did that…i mean, wow …. if lives were not in danger why like something with such vibrant live, wanting to live more? Probably it was a mother croc going back to her young … that is so sad…poor mummy and babies croc …. animal cruelty!!!! We should follow the law and be charged according if we disobey …. *sad*
April 9th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
I’ve seen some people jumping to conclusions here… Who’s to say the shooter was not licensed? Were you there? Who’s to say the croc did not become aggressive when it was in the presence of people? I agree that we should not pointlessly kill animals; However, our top priority is to survive, and to help other people survive. You think about emergency situations that happen here at home. Authorities had better things to do than deal with a roque Croc (or bear) when New Orleans flooded. I do agree that violent tendancies toward animals reflect violent tendencies toward people, but there’s just not enough information here to conclusively judge whether the actions depicted above were justified or not. Emotions can be blinders - remember that.
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