It could be used in other ways in management units if it is determined that it will no longer be a protected species.
With a census to determine the number of crocodiles that exist in Tamaulipas, authorities are considering determining if these animals are a pest and proposing through Congress that they stop being recognized as a protected species and establish a plan for their use.
The president of the Tamaulipas Parks and Biodiversity Commission (CPBT), Eduardo Rocha, said that there was already contact with members of the 66th local legislature of Tamaulipas to discuss the issue, given the constant sighting of crocodiles not only in the southern zone.
What law currently protects crocodiles in Tamaulipas?
In this case, the approach would have to be made to the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat) since the protection of these animals is based on the Mexican Official Standard NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010.
This regulation targets the Crocodylus moreletii, identified as the black crocodile, swamp crocodile or lizard, in its risk category.
“We will also receive support to see that legislation must be passed on the issue of being able to change this Semarnat regulation that states that at the national level, they are in danger of extinction,” he said in an interview.
He stressed that the last record of a census corresponds to the one that was done in Laguna del Carpintero four years ago.
“In 2021, the census of Laguna del Carpintero, which is not very large, was around 90 specimens,” Rocha said.
Spaces are being sought to receive crocodiles captured outside their habitat
A census and the possible construction of management units is what the Government of Tamaulipas is considering to address the problem of crocodiles in places such as Laguna del Carpintero.
The Morena governor Américo Villarreal Anaya indicated that decisions will be made based on the results of this count.
Source: OEM
