Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – Heightened concerns surface in the bustling heart of Puerto Vallarta, as reports of a crocodile in the Cuale River stir unrest among locals and business owners. The situation has escalated to the point where Graciela Ortiz Cervantes, president of the Neighborhood Council of Colonia Emiliano Zapata, has vocalized the community’s distress over the municipality’s Civil Protection and Fire Department’s response—or lack thereof—to the potential threat posed by the reptilian inhabitant.
Despite repeated notifications to the authorities, the crocodile remains at large. “The Civil Protection’s team acknowledged the animal’s presence, but efforts to capture it have been futile,” Ortiz Cervantes conveyed. Residents express bewilderment at the department’s strategy, or apparent lack thereof, in safely apprehending the creature that has stealthily evaded capture.
Historically, the Cuale River, an emblematic feature of Puerto Vallarta since its inception, was not known to harbor crocodiles. It was a communal space where women laundered clothes and the existence of “water dogs,” or otters, was the norm. These otters are still visible to this day. The riverbanks, once dotted with palapas and stones for washing, are now transformed into a vibrant hub for tourism, with a plethora of shops, eateries, and marketplaces attracting both locals and visitors.
Alarmingly, in the past four years, sightings of not one but two crocodiles have been reported. While one of the reptiles has been successfully relocated by Civil Protection, the remaining crocodile has taken up residence in the northern arm of the river, causing anxiety among the populace. The area, known for being a leisure spot for families and a draw for unwitting tourists, now harbors a hidden danger.
Restaurateurs and providers of tourist services join the chorus of those seeking assistance, fearing the repercussions of the reptile’s proximity to the community and the risks it poses. The continual presence of the crocodile, particularly in a region frequented by children and families, elevates the urgency of the matter.
Ortiz Cervantes reiterates the community’s plea for Civil Protection and Animal Welfare departments to intervene decisively. With reports and photographic evidence continuing to emerge, the call for action has reached a critical juncture. “Yesterday and today, I received numerous photographs of the crocodile,” Ortiz Cervantes stated, pressing for a solution. “I was assured by Commander Carreño, who was quite formal in his response to my call, that the matter would be addressed.”
