Press Releze, Belmopan, August 11, 2026 – The Belize Forest Department (BFD), in collaboration with ACES Wildlife Rescue and the Crocodile Research Coalition (CRC), is reminding residents, visitors, and businesses to exercise caution and refrain from feeding, approaching, or interacting with crocodiles in their natural habitat. The advisory follows recent reports and social media posts involving human-crocodile interactions, including a recent incident in Caye Caulker Village. While no physical contact or injury was observed in that particular incident, it underscores the importance of responsible behaviour in areas where crocodiles are present.
Crocodiles are native to Belize and naturally inhabit mangroves, lagoons, wetlands, rivers and coastal areas. As human activity and development increasingly overlap with natural crocodile habitat, encounters between people and wildlife may occur. Public awareness and responsible behaviour are therefore important to protecting both people and crocodiles. Of particular concern are reports of crocodiles being intentionally fed or encouraged to approach people. The Forest Department strongly reminds the public that crocodiles should never be fed, approached, touched, provoked or encouraged to interact with people.
Feeding crocodiles, whether directly or indirectly, can alter their natural behaviour, cause them to associate people with food and increase the potential for negative human-crocodile interactions. Residents, visitors, and businesses are encouraged to support responsible wildlife viewing practices that maintain a safe distance and do not involve feeding, attracting, or attempting to interact with crocodiles in their environment or habitat.
The public is advised to:
• Never feed, approach, touch or provoke a crocodile;
• Never attempt to capture, handle or relocate a crocodile;
• Avoid swimming at night or in mangrove areas and other locations where crocodiles are known to occur;
• Keep children and pets at a safe distance from the water’s edge where crocodiles are present;
• Keep waterways and surrounding areas free of food waste, fish remains and rubbish that may attract wildlife; and
• Report concerning crocodile activity rather than attempting to intervene.
Persons who encounter a crocodile that may pose a concern should keep a safe distance, avoid interacting with the animal and contact the appropriate authorities or trained wildlife personnel for assistance.
Reports may be made to:
Belize Forest Department Hotline: (+501) 610-1524
Crocodile Research Coalition: (+501) 660-3936
ACES Wildlife Rescue : (+501) 623-7920
The Forest Department encourages the public to make use of these reporting channels so that situations can be properly assessed, and the appropriate response determined. The Belize Forest Department, ACES Wildlife Rescue and CRC have also agreed to undertake additional measures to strengthen public awareness and support the existing emergency response and reporting system. These measures will include increased public education on crocodile safety and responsible coexistence, engagement with communities and stakeholders, and the installation of appropriate crocodile safety and warning signage at strategic locations. Community meetings will also be held with residents and stakeholders in Caye Caulker Village to discuss crocodile behaviour, safety and community concerns.
The Forest Department and its partners remain committed to promoting public safety while protecting Belize’s native wildlife. The public is encouraged to exercise caution, act responsibly and report any concerns to the appropriate authorities.