It is an offence to kill a crocodile
Dear Editor,
The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) is calling on all Jamaicans to recognise the critical role crocodiles play in maintaining the balance of the island’s ecosystems following yet another brutal killing of the protected species in Hellshire, St Catherine.
The animal was discovered on Wednesday, October 1 near the Hellshire Bridge with its tail severed and a rope tied around its mouth. The crocodile, which had been spotted alive in the same area as recently as Saturday, September 27, showed clear signs of being illegally captured before it was killed.
This latest attack comes just days after a similar incident was reported on Monday, September 29 in a community off Spanish Town Road, underscoring growing concerns about repeated acts of cruelty against the animal.
The American crocodile (crocodylus acutus) is protected under the Wild Life Protection Act (WLPA). It is an offence to kill, capture, or harm the animal, with violators facing penalties of up to three years’ imprisonment or fines of up to $3 million.
NEPA continues to hear troubling reports of people consuming crocodile meat for supposed health benefits, including claims that the tail acts as an aphrodisiac. There is no scientific evidence to support this; it is simply false.
Crocodiles are not food; they are vital to our ecosystems. They regulate populations of other species, and, as scavengers, they help to keep our waterways clean by removing dead animals that could otherwise spread disease.
NEPA has found plastics, cans, diapers, and even clothing in dead crocodiles during necropsies. Protecting these animals means not only stopping illegal hunting, but also managing waste responsibly.
The agency has launched a comprehensive investigation into the Hellshire incident and will collaborate with the relevant authorities to ensure those responsible are held accountable under the law. Citizens may also contact NEPA, call 119, or the nearest police station to report any instances of harassment, capture, or killing of a crocodile.
Jamaicans must play their part in protecting the nation’s wildlife by reporting incidents promptly and discouraging acts of cruelty against protected species.
National Environment and Planning Agency
