Category Archives: U.Miami: Crocs

Wikipedia’s American Crocodile

Email this morning from UM Police:

The University of Miami is aware that a crocodile has recently been seen in Lake Osceola. [MF note: the lake in the center of campus.] Signs are posted around Lake Osceola and near the canals on campus as a reminder of their presence. They may appear docile and calm as they bask in the sun near the rocks or just along the surface of the water, but they should not be approached, and their space should be respected.

Individuals and anyone with pets are strongly advised to remain clear of the edge of the water and not attempt to feed or interact with these animals, if observed.

In Florida, crocodiles and alligators, can be found in any body of water, and they easily navigate into various waterways. The University has worked with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for guidance on alligators and crocodiles in our community in the past and more information can be found on their website.

This is far from our first crocodile.  See, e.g.,

• What? A Croc? (November 25, 2004)
• Croc II ! (December 17, 2004)
• Crocodile Reminder (February 22, 2007)
• Cold Front Flushes Out UM Croc (December 13, 2004)
• Croc Killer on the Loose! (October 2, 2008)

Sun-Sentinal, Pancho the crocodile, suspected of eating three dogs, relocated again :

A huge American crocodile called Pancho, suspected of eating three dogs in a bayside Coral Gables neighborhood, has been caught and relocated for the second time, the state's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission announced Wednesday.

If the federally protected reptile journeys back to the canals of Gables-by-the-Sea, and experts think it almost certainly will, the critter will be removed from the wild and given to a zoo or licensed private owner.

Measuring 10-feet, 7-inches when captured last week, Pancho had grown nearly 16 inches in the 21 months since it was first caught and moved to the Homestead area of Biscayne Bay, according to Lindsey Hord, the commission's crocodile response coordinator.

Hord's advice to area pet owners: “Keep your dog on a leash.”

Actually, Gables-by-the-Sea (a high rent district annexed by the city a few years back in order to up the tax base) is a bit south of campus, but all these waterways are connected, and I bet a determined croc could make its way up here if it really wanted to.

The Miami Herald reports Teen arrested in UM croc's killing

Authorities say a 16-year-old boy has been arrested for killing an American crocodile on the University of Miami campus.

It seems they have DNA evidence and everything. Plus, there were accomplices…

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CompUSA (CompUSA???) has offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the UM Croc Killer.

Why CompUSA? According to the Miami Herald,

''The students are good customers of ours, and we want them to know our concern over this incident,'' said Gilbert Fiorentino, the company's chief executive officer, in a news release.

(No sign of the press release in the CompUSA press release archive.)

Send croc-related tips to Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477 or the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-3922.