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It was my understanding that it was not illegal because it is stupid and dangerous, but rather illegal because it tames dangerous creatures to humans and brings them closer to our habitats, making the danger extend not to the person doing the act but to the community as a whole.

That is much different than anything going on that the Blue Hole.

Comes down to the fact that the American Saltwater Crocodile is protected worldwide as an endangered species under the CITES treaty. They are protected to ensure that further reduction of the species is prevented.

If the shark's in the Blue Hole were protected species the same rules would apply.

If there were no selective legislation then there would be no protection of any endangered species, eventually leading to extintion.

Feeding the crocs is not illegal because it is stupid, it is illegal because the animal is endangered thanks to human interference and we now have to let the crocs be crocs. Having them perform tricks on the side of the road for a chicken leg is not going to help the species.

Sharks are not endangered (I'll say it one last time) and it is not illegal to swim with them while chumming. Stupid but not illegal.

This thread is starting to go around in dizzying circles so this is the last you'll hear from me here. Peace out!

(Simon, you must type much faster than me!)

Just to add to the selective legislation factor.

There are roads in the US where the speed limit is 55mph. Given no selective legislation then I should be able to travel on any road at that speed. Now if that were the case I might have to be educated on the possible impact of driving 55mph in a 10mph zone but without any legislated consquence I wouldn't have to abide by those limits if I didn't feel like it as there is no disincentive.

"When someone repeatedly feeds chicken to a croc, its pea size brain starts associating people with food."

My comment about sharks was addressed to this logic - is it not the same?

Simon your points are well taken concerning endangered species. The problem I have is calling for criminal punishment for sitting on the back of a croc like some have done on this topic.

Driving 55 in a 10 mile zone endangers others - thus the logic for law. I do not see where sitting on a croc endangers the croc or others.

"...the speed limit is 55mph."
Does that apply to sharks or crocs?

Remember when feeding the bears at Yellowstone National Park was all the rage? They had miles of cars parked in "bear jams" while people feed the creatures jelly donuts. It was the #1 tourist attraction for the park, until the bears decided the tourists were tastier than the donuts. Of course, those BAD BEARS where immediately killed because that sort of behavior does not do much for tourism. Now, it is against the law to feed the bears in Yellowstone but you can still see them there, from a distance, and they are doing what bears are suppose to do, foraging for food, not donuts. The Wyoming Game and Fish went on a statewide campaign educating the community that "a feed bear is a dead bear." Anyone living in an area where bears live are required to keep their garbage securely contained, follow other strict precautions and feeding them for entertainment is illegal. We had neighbors who used to do that, until the bear became aggressive. Authorities tried several times to relocate the animal but the neighbor ended up shooting the creature from his front porch. I have seen crocs in the San Pedrito area swimming in garbage filled lagoons and no doubt they are enjoying a free meal as well. As long as there is food, you can bet the animal will return. When a wild animal learns to associate food with man they also lose their fear and respect from man, and can become quite aggressive when man does not have the food, or maybe he just decides one day he just does not like this two legged creature. What happens when someone goes to fish the same lagoon that the crocs are feed in and they do not have a chicken? These crocs are not approaching us because they want us to take a better look at THEM; they want to take a better look at US to see what/who they can eat. Wild animals are unpredictable and just because they seem complacent it does not mean we understand what is really going on in their heads. I doubt they are thinking "gee, I wish that pretty girl would sit on me" the more likely scenario is "yum, she looks delicious!"

All comes back to desensitization of their natural fear of humans which puts them in conflict therefore endangering itself and others (same as the speeding law scenario.)

The Belize Forest Department and the Belize Audubon Society are trying to outlaw chumming for sharks at the Blue Hole as it clearly holds the same concerns. Then, if you see sharks while diving there they are there because the area is their habitat, not because someone rang the dinner bell.

For articles from March this year:
Audubon Society fights shark feeding at Blue Hole
and
Forest Dept. will launch campaign against feeding wild animals
follow this link:
//ambergriscaye.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/270502/