Wildlife officials in Florida shared a heartbreaking update on the status of a critically injured American crocodile.
What's happening?
The Miami Herald reported that an 8-foot, 130-pound female crocodile was brought to Zoo Miami for urgent treatment after she was found with a fishing spear lodged in her head. The crocodile, named Britney by the staff, had also been shot and blinded in one eye. If all that wasn't bad enough, several metal objects had to be removed from her stomach.
Sadly, Britney didn't recover from multiple surgeries and died soon afterward. Her premature demise was a result of the combined effects of anemia, lead poisoning, and the wounds.
"The loss of this federally threatened animal serves as a heartbreaking reminder of the devastating consequences of illegal and cruel actions against wildlife, actions often driven by unfounded fear and ignorance," said zoo spokesperson Ron Magill, who noted cold-blooded animals can have trouble recovering from general anesthesia.
Why is this death so concerning?
American crocodiles are much rarer than their alligator cousins and can be distinguished by their pale coloring and the V-shape of their snouts. Habitat destruction and extensive hunting left them on the brink of extinction, but they have since rebounded. A small population of around 2,000 crocodiles resides in South Florida.
The loss of any rare species is a tragedy, but in this case, it's even more disturbing since it was needless and avoidable. American crocodiles pose little threat to people, so there's little to justify the attacks that caused the injuries. The crocodile may have survived had it not consumed what appeared to be fishing weights.
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What's being done to protect American crocodiles?
It's possible the crocodile was attacked in error, or the injuries could have been the result of fear or ignorance, which underlines the importance of raising awareness to prevent similar future problems. Greater understanding can lead to peaceful coexistence between people and wildlife.
Additionally, it's yet another reminder of the terrible consequences pollutants in water can have for animals. Reducing plastic use minimizes the harm by preventing toxic materials from getting there in the first place.
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