Costa Rica moves to control the hunting of crocodiles with new bill
Costa Rica has proposed a bill to control the hunting of crocodiles and caimans in the country.
The bill includes plans to monitor crocodile populations and manage areas where they are a risk to people.
Congressman Leslye Bojorges who presented the bill to change the country’s Wildlife Conservation Law said growing crocodile sightings are causing safety concerns, especially in tourist areas and communities near rivers.
The Gran Humedal Tempisque, a tourist site in Costa Rica with over 2,300 crocodiles, one of the highest, is one of the affected sites.
The bill includes a proposal for regular population studies, relocation of dangerous crocodiles, and warning signs in high-risk zones.
According to Bojorges, this will help reduce risks while protecting crocodiles in areas where they do not cause harm.
He also noted that crocodiles are affecting safety and tourism in some regions, which also hurts the local economy.
Crocodile hunting has been illegal in Costa Rica since the 1990s after years of overhunting made them endangered.
Although there is expected resistance from some environmental groups and scientists, Bojorges says public concerns need to be addressed.
