JAMAICA STAR (Kingston) 12 February 07 Crocs - squatters on their own turf (Leighton Williams)
It must be tough being a crocodile. Think about it. You're hunted for meat, demonised by myths, legends and Hollywood and, worst yet, your home is overrun by some pesky squatters called humans who behave as if they own your land.
I say this because of recent reports that people in Greater Portmore were complaining about the presence of crocodiles in their 'community'. Admittedly, I laugh when I see these headlines and stories for one simple reason. The crocs did not move into Portmore. People moved into Portmore and the residents are living in the crocs' 'community'.
I can't help but feel it for the crocs though. They can't protest, block roads, or file lawsuits when their habitat is being overrun by pesky humans. They can't call the print media to get photographs of squatters or when sewage overflows in their homes or someone builds a school in their play area. Crocodiles can't call the electronic media, or growl loudly whenever the cameras hit the females who will be decked out in their bleached pattern skins. The crocs are also unable to carry placards saying 'we want justice' when the contractors move in to clear their lands.
The only thing they can do is move farther in the swamp, or in the case of Portmore, try to exist alongside humans. And when they try to exist alongside humans, they are branded as a threat when we are the problem.
No restraint
You see, we often feel that as humans we have a right to live everywhere that God created although we are not suited for such conditions. So, we all decided to move into the swamps. I mean swamps are made up of mangroves and other plants, fishes, birds, crocodiles, and other members of the animal kingdom. Yet still, we clear lands and expect the crocs and other animals to go elsewhere because we moved in. Then, when the animals try to go about their business and enjoy themselves, we complain.
Think about it, have you ever seen or heard of a croc in the heart of downtown Kingston digging a nest or basking in the sun under the St. William Grant statue? Yet, a croc in a schoolyard in Greater Portmore which is still its home is harassed by schoolchildren and no one thinks about that. Worst, crocs don't go into New Kingston hunting for humans to sell to their cousins, the alligators. They don't go to downtown Miami looking to hunt children, you have to come in their environment. However, every time somebody is bitten by a croc or gets killed, the animals get blamed when they are mainly looking out for their interests.
Home invasion
I feel it for the crocs because squatters have invaded their homes and have prevented them from enjoying themselves. I know by the time I get to work my inbox will probably be loaded with emails of all sorts. But again, I say this without apology, we (or better yet, you all) are squatting on the crocodiles' land and not the other way around.
Crocs - squatters on their own turf