Due to the Presence of Crocodiles in Panama City the Ministry of the Environment is Reinforcing Prevention Measures
MiAmbiente reiterated its call to the public to be vigilant in the event of a crocodile sighting and urged them to follow the recommendations.
The Ministry of Environment (MiAmbiente) implemented a series of prevention measures in sectors of Panama City such as Clayton, Diablo and Albrook, where frequent interactions with crocodiles are recorded and numerous specimens have been sighted. The actions carried out include scientific monitoring, population assessment and environmental education, in addition to constant inspections and the installation of preventive signage to alert residents and visitors. Through an ongoing program, the institution promotes environmental education in communities located in the areas where these reptiles live, with the goal of fostering responsible behavior.
Over the past three months, staff have intensified patrols and the distribution of informational brochures. The first community meeting was held in El Chorrillo with the participation of local leaders, the educational community, residents, and community board officials. These awareness sessions will be extended to other areas of Panama City and West Panama where the species has been reported, such as the districts of Don Bosco and Pacora, and areas near the Matasnillo River.
Researcher Miryam Venegas-Anaya, a specialist in the species, explained that within the scientific monitoring “captures of specimens have been carried out, which are subjected to an evaluation process that includes taking morphometric measurements, recording weight and marking them.”
“This information allows us to track individuals, understand their movements, and generate scientific data to improve the management of the species. The capture experiment aims to reinforce the animals’ natural behavior, encouraging them to maintain distance and avoid contact with people,” Venegas-Anaya added.
The scientific work focuses on counting, evaluating, identifying and marking the individuals, and has the support of biologists and technicians from the Biodiversity Department of the central headquarters and the metropolitan regional office of the entity. On the other hand, MiAmbiente reiterated its call to the public for prevention in the event of a crocodile sighting and urged them to follow these essential recommendations:
- Keep a safe distance from the animal.
- Do not feed them under any circumstances.
- Avoid leaving food scraps or fish near rivers, lagoons, estuaries or mangroves, as this practice causes reptiles to associate people with a food source.
- Report any sightings through the citizen hotline 311 or the entity’s official social media channels, allowing specialized personnel to assess the situation in a timely manner and minimize conflict between humans and crocodiles.
