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Forensic Investigation Underway Into Death of Laguna Ventanilla’s Iconic Crocodile

Following a necropsy and sanitary burial, PROFEPA referred the case to the FGR; lab results are expected within two months

Overview

  • Tío Lucho, an American crocodile aged approximately 40 to 60 years and measuring about 4.4 meters, died on August 8 at the community-managed Laguna Ventanilla sanctuary.
  • PROFEPA teams performed a necropsy, collected biological samples and carried out a sanitary burial on a nearby beach before notifying the Fiscalía General de la República.
  • Definitive laboratory analyses to determine the exact cause of death are pending and may take one to two months to complete.
  • Local cooperative members maintain the death resulted from a natural territorial fight with other crocodiles and reject any suggestion of mismanagement.
  • Laguna Ventanilla operates as a Unidad de Manejo Ambiental hosting over 1,000 crocodiles under NOM-059 and CITES Appendix II protections, supporting eco-tourism and environmental education.