‘It Was a Warning Bite’: Expert Says Croc Was Not Trying to Kill

The crocodile attack that injured an American woman in Caye Caulker on Monday was most likely a case of instinct and circumstance, not deliberate aggression, says crocodile expert and executive director of the Crocodile Research Coalition, Marisa Tellez.

Tellez told News 5 that the unfortunate incident showed just how the animal’s behaviour fits a pattern seen during certain times of year and under specific conditions in the water.

“The crocodile did not attack to kill this woman or to eat this woman,” Tellez said, adding that it was more of a “defence bite” to warn the victim.

Assistant Superintendent of Police Stacy Smith reported on Monday that the incident occurred around 3:30 a.m., when the victim went swimming. This time, according to Tellez, is critical.

“This is crocodile feeding time,” she explained. “This is when they are more active, and when they hear that type of splashing, they might think you’re prey. They’re gonna go in and investigate.”

She says another factor that may have led to it was that it is currently nesting season. “The female wants to protect her nest and her babies,” she added. According to her prior studies in that area of Caye Caulker, the spot where the woman was attacked is common grounds for female crocodiles to nest.

Tellez urged people not to blame the animal, saying attacks are often linked more to human behaviour, misinformation or lack of awareness than to crocodile aggression.

She discouraged any feeding of crocodiles in the area, which may also be conditioning crocodiles to associate these activities with feeding time and increasing risk.