Just to give you a taste of some of the challenges we get to deal with in our project sites, here's a picture sent to me by Rich Wilson, my Mesoamerican Barrier Reef Program Manager. It's the latest (and growing) fad in "ecotourism" in Belize: Crocodile Feeding.Tour guide baits a string with a dead chicken and lures wild American crocodiles (Crocodylus acutus) from the water for photo opportunities. This species of croc averages about 13-15 feet in length though some old males have been reported at a length of 20 feet.
What's so bad about a harmless photo op? The problem is that this behavior habituates fed crocodiles to the presence of humans. In fact, it actually attracts crocodiles who begin associating human activity with a chicken dinner. Problem is, crocodiles are just as happy with fresh human as they are with fresh poultry.
What makes this so frustrating is that this new "tourist attraction" is apparently supported by the town council of San Pedro, Belize. I have no doubt that this activity can put San Pedro on the map as a tourist draw for this daring practice. But at what cost? It's a contrived situation, not "natural." It's "rewarding" tourism operators (and crocodiles) for bad behavior. And should an accident happen to the fellow holding the chicken or to some unsuspecting swimmer attacked by a curious croc, you can be certain that the crocodiles will be the villans and hunted down. NOT the tour operators or the town council.
If you still don't think this is crazy behavior, have a talk with this guy.
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