Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Reptile round-up underway in South Florida neighborhood
COCONUT GROVE, Fla. (WSVN) -- A reptile round-up is underway in a South Florida neighborhood and a well-known field trip spot for schools is closed until all crocodiles are caught.
One crocodile has been plaguing the Coconut Grove Sailing Club for more than a week. "We have an unwanted guest. It's a 5-foot crocodile that's visiting us, and it doesn't want to go home," said Sailing Director Nick Mansbach.
A crocodile trapper has tried four times to catch it but has so far had no luck. American Crocodiles are an endangered species. It's illegal to kill or catch them, except under certain circumstances. "It's not posing a threat. It's not acting aggressively to remove it, so they are not sure if they are going to be able to remove it," said Mansbach, "so for the past couple of days we've been trying to get close to it because if it gets close to us then it's not showing fear, so we can get to it."
Coconut Grove Sailing Club is a popular field trip destination for Miami-Dade students. "I've canceled classes and moved classes around and doing things elsewhere," said Mansbach. "Unfortunately, the place where the crocodile hangs out at is our main dock."
Most sailors aren't concerned about the extra company in the water. "They like to go for things that are smaller than them, and I'd be too heavy duty for that poor fellow," said Bill Beavers. "He wouldn't make it far with me."
The Miami-Dade School system has canceled all field trips to the Sailing Club until the crocodile is nabbed.
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