AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums The Cayes Ambergris Caye Shame on Ambergris Today newspaper!

"I do not see where sitting on a croc endangers the croc or others."

Did you look at this video?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_JbI_d0Xdc

You are sighting examples of exactly what and why legislation in place of education can lead down a slippery slope.
Although Simon's examples of the need to protect endangered species and your example of the bears both demonstrate valid concerns and the eventual laws.
When I used the analogy of the Blue Hole, some quickly pointed out that was not the same. Now we see that some are using the logic to make that illegal. How about feeding the fish at Hol Chan? Are we not talking similar logic? Then what about chuming for fish when trying to catch them?
My original comments were to try and get those quick to call for legal action against Debbie and the paper to be careful what they ask for as it might end up "biting" them.

Having laws that protect animals from harmful human behavior and laws that protect humans from other humans harmful behavior are appropriate. But laws that penalize people for their own stupid behavior are unnecessary- IMO.

I'm pretty much with bywarren on this one. The law already exists; like many laws everywhere it seems to be having little impact. As long as there is demand there will be supply. Since addressing the supply hasn't worked, why not attempt to address the demand? I still like Seashell's idea about posting something regarding this issue in every hotel room. Had we know the facts on our first visit, we would not have participated.

Like most here, I've spoken out against this before. In the Everglades & the swamps of the southeast you are fined for feeding alligators and the animal is caught & killed, because once they associate humans with providing food they expect it from ALL humans, whether it's a fisherman or a child playing near the water. They don't beg, they feed. It's only a matter of time until someone gets hurt. The fact that it hasn't happened recently has to be the most ignorant attitude I've ever heard. When we heard about the feedings we avoided the area, not as much as a boycott but just to ensue we didn't witness a horrible incident.
Ask yourself, how would you feel if it were your child risking his life to entertain tourists? Buy some necklaces or carvings from the kids instead, they'll be a lot better off and have more fun doing it.

"We never invited anyone to go feed the crocodiles and never said it was a tourist attraction."
Then please explain what you meant when you published this "Contrary to other reports, I did not see any of these crocodiles being abused! If they were not happy they would not keep coming back.It seems that they have grown used to these boys and even like being fed in exchange for a few photo-ops!"

The article doesn't really go in depth of how dangerous this is.

I really have not taken tis discussion too seriously until I read the above phrase "they don't beg, they feed" Yipes, that puts it in to perspective. I feel badly for the neophyte reporter. I bet she will be more careful in the future

that was my point. that sharks are going thru the exact same thing. there is an area in the bahamas called bull run. its a dive site, there really isnt a big reef system either, just an outcropping and the shark population is huge. the reason is its where all the live aboards bring their divers to see the sharks. chum cicles are used in a lot of instances. our boat captian brought us there but did not feed them. he said it was bringing more sharks to the area that the eco system could not support.

thinking about it now, it makes me wonder how much danger we were in by going down and not having food. my question has been why is this ok with sharks but not with crocs.

i have read simons post and do understand the point of crocs being endangered. i thank him for broadening my view there. but honestly, i do not think that this thread, or the argument it has become, is based on the croc being endangered. this argument has been based between those who view it as dangerous vs those who view it as entertainment. i think the endangered part, though true, is a technicality, as it applies to this argument.

i do understand there are a few who have been bringing up the endangered status of crocs, but not many.

fish

To: ambertoday@btl.net
Subject: Subscription Form

Name: Thomas Blackledge
Company: Medical Center
Street: P.O. Box 748
Address:
City: Magee
State/Province: MS
Zip Code: 39111
Country: USA
E-Mail: tommy@tecinfo.com

Comments: I own property on the south end of the island and have enjoyed your paper / web site for 2 years now.

I feel however that the recent article about croc feeding was VERY irresponsible. The article condoned this illegal and very dangerous activity. The writer also gave the impression that this activity is sanctioned by the deputy mayor.

Sitting on that massive croc and posing for a photo is absolutely one of the most ignorant things I have ever seen.

Since our property is south then we frequently ride by this site during "the feeding". I never stop or photo this activity and I'm forced to explain why each time to my boys who are lead to believe this activity is safe since so many others are doing it.

Children and teens frequently make these type stupid descisions but adults should not. I hope you have the gumption to admit your mistake and issue not only an appology in next weeks paper but also an article to try to deter anyone from participating in this illegal and very dangerous activity.

Thomas Blackledge
001-601-849-1918

OK, were are the 'personal' attact cops ?

JSB. "poor taste"?
Heavens, that's what has us worried!
Shocked as we are about the abuse of these prehistoric creatures; what really concerns us about our holidays on AC is good taste. What we need here is a comentarist with plenty of time to post, someone who will interpret for the less educated. We engineers, finance experts, physicians and assorted entreprenures need someone to tell us how to arrange and manage our kitchens! We need someone to tell us which wines we enjoy, to arrange the flowers and "do" the ladies hair!