A critically endangered Cuban crocodile was found dead in its enclosure at the National Zoo on December 17 after apparently chewing on electrical equipment.
The crocodile, a 10-year-old male that was born at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute in 2012 as part of a breeding program, was “attracted to a replacement outlet and attacked electrical infrastructure in the habitat.” “.
A 10-year-old Cuban crocodile died in its enclosure at the National Zoo after chewing on electrical equipment.
(National Zoo)
“The new outlet was approximately 4.5 feet off the ground, higher than the original outlet,” the National Zoo explained. “Known for its aggressive behavior, the crocodile ripped electrical equipment from the wall and chewed on several pieces.”
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The crocodile had been living in the enclosure for several years without incident and daily inspections revealed nothing of concern.
Cuban crocodiles (Crocodylus rhombifer) react when bait is hung over them at a crocodile farm in the Ciénaga de Zapata, Ciénaga de Zapata, Cuba, August 25, 2022.
(Reuters/Alexandre Meneghini)
A Cuban crocodile is released into the wild in Ciénaga de Zapata, Ciénaga de Zapata, Cuba, August 24, 2022.
(Reuters/Alexandre Meneghini)
The National Zoo is investigating the incident and a pathology report will determine the cause of death.
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Cuban crocodiles are a critically endangered species with only about 3,000 purebred crocodiles in the wild. Their natural habitat is the Zapata Swamp and the Lanier Swamp in Cuba on the Isla de la Juventud, where American crocodiles have interbred with them in recent decades.
