{"id":245370,"date":"2021-11-02T15:49:45","date_gmt":"2021-11-02T19:49:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/oncubanews.com\/en\/?p=245370"},"modified":"2021-11-02T15:49:45","modified_gmt":"2021-11-02T19:49:45","slug":"citma-authorities-investigate-presence-of-crocodiles-in-an-eastern-municipality-of-cuba","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/oncubanews.com\/en\/cuba\/citma-authorities-investigate-presence-of-crocodiles-in-an-eastern-municipality-of-cuba\/","title":{"rendered":"CITMA authorities investigate presence of crocodiles in an eastern municipality of Cuba"},"content":{"rendered":"

The sighting of at least one crocodile in the Sagua River, located in the Holguin municipality of Sagua de T\u00e1namo, led the local authorities of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment (CITMA) to issue a statement confirming that \u201cit is about at least one adult specimen, which has not been possible to capture so far.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe area of \u200b\u200bthe tributary that crosses the municipalities of Sagua de T\u00e1namo and Frank Pa\u00eds is far from the natural habitat of crocodiles and there are no breeding grounds in nearby places, therefore, the fact is related, presumably, to the illegal possession of species by individuals,\u201d assured CITMA delegate Alejandro Torres G\u00f3mez de C\u00e1diz to the Agencia Cubana de Noticias (ACN) news agency.<\/span><\/p>\n

https:\/\/twitter.com\/citmacuba\/status\/1454616565106757636?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1454616565106757636%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Foncubanews.com%2Fcuba%2Fautoridades-del-citma-investigan-presencia-de-cocodrilos-en-un-municipio-oriental-de-cuba%2F<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Juan Miranda, CITMA specialist in Sagua de T\u00e1namo, told the press agency that they have already formed a group made up of specialists and fishermen with the purpose of monitoring the area where the sighting occurred, but that the current is cloudy due the rains in the mountainous area.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the last two days this specimen of semi-aquatic reptile has not been seen again, according to Miranda, who argued that it was not possible to determine its species with the naked eye.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some residents have expressed concern because it is an area frequented by bathers, although as a result of COVID-19 doing so has been prohibited for months, according to local sources. The authorities also pointed out that this fact had paralyzed fishing for eel, an \u201cimportant exportable item.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Torres G\u00f3mez de C\u00e1diz indicated that, taking into account the Decree Law on Animal Welfare, the CITMA, together with the local authorities of Health and Fisheries Inspection, are assessing the risks that the presence of reptiles entails for nearby populations, as well as the alterations that it causes to the ecosystem. In the same way, they are also assessing the capture, classification, transfer and relocation actions.<\/span><\/p>\n

After the sighting of the reptile, which several residents reported on social networks since last October 26, the regional director of the Office of Regulation and Environmental Safety had notified that there could be three specimens that were in that Sagua River area.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cuba applies in three months more than 25,000 fines for illegalities related to natural resources<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n