On Monday, we reported that a man had survived a crocodile attack in the wee hours of Saturday, August 20, in a lagoon in San Juan, Ambergris Caye.
Reportedly, David Tuts, 30, had gone for a swim when suddenly, an American crocodile measuring about 13 feet in length grabbed him, and then pulled him underwater.
We were told that the crocodile had him by the head, but somehow, Tuts managed to open the crocodile’s jaw to free his head from the reptile’s powerful grip.
Once freed, Tuts swam to safety and then ran to his home, which is only a block away from where the incident occurred.
He was initially treated for bite wounds in the neck, and later flown to Belize City.
A reliable source has since told us that Tuts is doing well and is back in San Juan, Ambergris Caye. The suspected culprit, named “Barry,” had been located in April by ACES on the north side of the island.
On Sunday, ACES captured Barry in the same area where Tuts had been attacked, but it was uncertain if Barry had been the crocodile that attacked Tuts. Did he return after been relocated 4 months ago?
According to research biologist & wildlife behaviorist, Cherie Rose of ACES, once any apex predator is fed by humans; they lose their natural fear for humans and learn to associate humans with food.
According to some of our sources, the crocs were being and are still being illegally fed by locals in Ambergris Caye.
Today, Rose told us that they can’t be 100% certain if Barry is responsible for Tuts’ injuries. This morning, Wednesday, another croc, whose tag number is 26 and who has been classified as “problematic,” was captured.
According to Rose, the croc was removed on May 15, from the WASA lagoon, where he was being illegally fed as a tourist attraction for years by local boys.
“This is the first he has turned up since then; and he did show up in the pool at Las Terrazas. Because he was fed, he seeks out people for an easy meal. The capture was successful and we relocated him again north of there in an unpopulated lagoon area,’’ said Rose.
Last year, ACES – a crocodile sanctuary in Toledo, was burnt down by an angry mob after a local “oracle” had told them that two missing brothers, Benjamin, 11, and Onelia Rash, 9, had been fed to the crocodiles.
Another habitat is being built in Ladyville, and funding for its completion is being secured.