Posted by Buck Ward on January 27, 2010 at 8:32 PM
The American Crocodile at Ding Darling NWR has died. Although I hadn't seen her in more than I year, I have seen her several times and always hoped to see her every time I visited the refuge.
The following is a statement sent by Jeff Combs on Wednesday to many of the volunteers the work at "Ding" Darling NWR.
"Volunteers, yesterday afternoon the American Crocodile was found dead on a secluded spot on the bank of the Sanibel River. The refuge manager verified it was her. All of the refuge staff went out this morning and we moved her body. She was sitting on the bank with her mouth wide open just like she did so many times on Wildlife Drive. She will be sent away for a necropsy to determine the cause of death. It is more than likely cold stress. She had evidently been there for a while. This is of course a very sad event for the refuge AND everyone on the Island. She was very well known here and will be missed. We will send out a full report when the results of the necropsy come back. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but we wanted you as volunteers to know as soon as possible."
Paul Tritaik, Wildlife Refuge Manager made the following comments about her death.
"Her hide and tissue are being sent to the FWS Forensics Lab to analyze her body chemistry and DNA. We hope to salvage her skeleton for future educational purposes. She was an Island icon and will be missed by all current and former refuge staff, volunteers, and partners."
Posted by David Bostock on January 27, 2010 at 8:48 PM
That's sad. Cold stress has really affected the Florida wildlife. I heard that hundreds of Manatee have been found dead too, likely due to the cold stress...sorry to hear this about the America Crocodile.
Sad, heard a few may have died in the Everglades as well. The fish kill is devastating, Fish and Wildlife actually had an emergency closure to take of many species. It could take years for the inshore fishery to recover. At least it took its toll on the exotics.
That is so sad I may have seen this big girl crossing the trail when I was there last summer.
Posted by Anthony Gibson on January 28, 2010 at 12:12 PM
What a bummer. I have seen this girl many times when I visit my parents on Captiva. She really was a local icon on Sanibel/Captiva Islands, known for showing off those massive jaws on the main drag through the park.
Discussion
4 repliesThe following is a statement sent by Jeff Combs on Wednesday to many of the volunteers the work at "Ding" Darling NWR.
"Volunteers, yesterday afternoon the American Crocodile was found dead on a secluded spot on the bank of the Sanibel River. The refuge manager verified it was her. All of the refuge staff went out this morning and we moved her body. She was sitting on the bank with her mouth wide open just like she did so many times on Wildlife Drive. She will be sent away for a necropsy to determine the cause of death. It is more than likely cold stress. She had evidently been there for a while. This is of course a very sad event for the refuge AND everyone on the Island. She was very well known here and will be missed. We will send out a full report when the results of the necropsy come back. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but we wanted you as volunteers to know as soon as possible."
Paul Tritaik, Wildlife Refuge Manager made the following comments about her death.
"Her hide and tissue are being sent to the FWS Forensics Lab to analyze her body chemistry and DNA. We hope to salvage her skeleton for future educational purposes. She was an Island icon and will be missed by all current and former refuge staff, volunteers, and partners."