A teenage boy has died after being tragically attacked by crocodiles when he slipped into a canal infested with the vicious predators before his parents had time to pull him to safety
A 14-year-old boy has died after being attacked by crocodiles after falling into a canal that was secretly teeming with the predators.
Andres Alejandro Santana Hernandez was mauled to death by the vicious reptiles after taking a walk with his family in the waterway in Lazaro Cardenas on Mexico’s Pacific Coast. Andres was walking along the path on July 18 when he fell into the canal, and before his parents could reach him to pull him back to safety, the crocodiles leapt in and attacked. The crocodiles dragged him into the swamp and began tearing into his body. The rivers and canals in the area are a hotbed for crocodiles, the creatures being responsible for dozens of deaths in the area each year.
Local police divers have begun a search in the area to find any of his remains, but it is uncertain if they have managed to recover his body. However, they have warned against anyone from visiting the area.
They have also issued safety advice warning visitors and walkers to stay far away from the canals’ banks due to the “unpredictable” nature of the animals, according to The Sun. Andres was a local altar boy as well as a part of the local Cortazar Fire Department’s marching band.
After news of his death broke, the Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish Church paid tribute to the teenager. In a statement the church said: “With deep sorrow, but with our hope placed in our Lord Jesus Christ, who has Risen and is the Lord of life, I earnestly ask you to join in prayer for the eternal rest of Andres Alejandro Santana Hernandez, altar server of the main parish, who has been called to the house of the Eternal Father.”
It is believed Andres was attacked by a Morelet’s Crocodile, also known as the Mexican or Belize Crocodile, which usually grows up to three metres in length and can weigh around 400lbs. The species is known for its attacks as they are highly opportunistic predators, and will prey on practically anything they can overpower that comes into their territory.
When they are young, they are known to prey on insects and fish, but once grown, they have been recorded taking down cattle, tapirs and even a jaguar. Morelets have been known to attack humans and have been recorded as the cause of 12 human deaths.
It is also worth noting that on many of these occasions, the crocodiles were attacking in a predatory manner, attacking humans unprovoked. The crocodiles are rampant across parts of Mexico, with an estimated 79,000 to 100,000 in the county alone, with the crocs also calling parts of Belize and Guatemala their home.
Crocodiles in general are responsible for a large number of attacks on humans, with around 1,000 fatalities recorded around the world each year.