OTTAWA CITIZEN (Ontario) 15 December 04 Zookeepers excited, but tread warily around 'beautiful' new crocodile (Jenn Hardy)
After a long journey, a rare and dangerous type of crocodile arrived in Ottawa last night, with zookeepers taking special precautions because of her predatory nature.
The two-metre, 67-kilogram crocodile is thought to be the only American crocodile on display in the country. American crocodiles are considered a threatened species across the world and are on the endangered list in Florida.
Paul Goulet of Little Ray's Reptile Zoo, where the crocodile will be displayed, describes the new guest as the most exciting arrival at the zoo since Stewart and Chase, Little Ray's 135-kilogram alligators.
"This is a crocodile that few people in North America have ever seen before," said Mr. Goulet.
"As cool as it is to see a crocodile on TV, unless you are standing six inches away, you can't truly appreciate the speed, power and beauty of these animals."
Because of its speed, power and healthy appetite, staff at the zoo will have to tread carefully around the eight-year-old crocodile.
When Stewart and Chase lived in the 3.6- by 2.4-metre cage that will now house the new arrival, staff could come and go regularly and the alligators would be undisturbed.
But for the new guest, the zoo is minimizing the amount of time staff members spend in the cage. Crocodiles are much more predatory than alligators because of a difference in their natural habitat.
According to Mr. Goulet, alligators have access to a variety of foods, while crocodiles tend to be scavengers, meaning they view just about anything as food, including humans.
While only 15 people have died from alligator attacks in Florida (which has the world's largest alligator population), more than 300 deaths from Nile crocodile attacks have been documented in South Africa. Mr. Goulet speculates there may be many more unreported deaths.
American crocodiles are not as notorious as Nile crocodiles, but they are still dangerous.
Mr. Goulet says changes to the zoo's feeding and cleaning procedures are intended to reduce stress for the animal in addition to ensuring the safety of staff. He adds the crocodile is very territorial and protective of its space, and people entering the cage just create unnecessary stress.
The crocodile was captured by the national guard in El Salvador in 1998 and spent time at a zoo in the Central American country before being exported to Welland, Ont.
It is in Ottawa on loan from the now-defunct Seaway Serpentarium.
The crocodile was loaded in a truck in Welland yesterday afternoon, and made the trip to Ottawa in a custom-made wooden box.
It was sedated, its eyes were covered by a bag, and was moved carefully from its original tank to the box, according to Mr. Goulet.
The crocodile will be unveiled tomorrow during a private party for zoo members from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. The public will be able see it during extended holiday hours every day between Dec. 19 and Jan. 16., from 10 a.m to 5 p.m. Little Ray's is on Highway 31 between Rideau and Mitch Owens roads.
The zoo is giving children a chance to name the crocodile.
Submissions can be e-mailed to littleray@raysreptiles.com, or sent by mail to 5305 Bank St., Ottawa, Ont., K1X 1H2. The winner will be announced on Jan. 17, and will win a flashlight party at the zoo.
Zookeepers excited, but tread warily around 'beautiful' new crocodile