Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – In a high-stakes operation on Sunday night, emergency services successfully captured a four-meter-long crocodile in the Ameca River, near the screening plant behind the Jardines del Sol subdivision in San José del Valle, Bahía de Banderas. The capture was precipitated by a violent encounter on Saturday afternoon, wherein the reptile attacked and severely injured a man, leading to the amputation of his arm.
Citizen Protection and Firefighters from Nayarit and Bahía de Banderas conducted the operation after being alerted to the presence of the dangerous animal. Initial efforts to secure the crocodile were thwarted when it disappeared into the river with the victim’s limb and a dark-colored shirt in its jaws.
Rescue forces, upon receiving a 911 distress call, promptly arrived at the scene to find the reptile, but it retreated into the river. In response to this threat, a preemptive sweep of the vicinity was conducted to evacuate bystanders, during which they discovered a male with severe injuries, including a mutilated hand. The individual was immediately transported to the General Hospital of IMSS Zone No. 33, where he received urgent medical treatment and is reportedly in recovery.
Following this incident, a coordinated effort between local authorities and crocodile management specialists led to the establishment of a command and monitoring center. The center’s primary focus is to issue warnings to residents and visitors frequenting the area for recreational purposes and to strategize the animal’s capture.
After vigilant monitoring, the crocodile was spotted on the riverbank after 8:00 p.m. and was eventually secured after several hours of careful operation. Authorities plan to have the crocodile examined by federal wildlife experts to ensure public safety.
The specimen, already known to experts in Puerto Vallarta, is believed to have migrated to this location via connected waterways. This incident has brought to light the need for increased awareness and safety measures regarding wildlife encounters in the region.
