Costa Rica crocs survive in the ‘most polluted’ river

TÁRCOLES: In one of the most polluted rivers in Central America, a vulnerable crocodile species is thriving despite living in waters that have become a sewer for Costa Rica’s capital, experts say.

Every day, trash and wastewater from San Jose households and factories flood into the Tarcoles River, which vomits tyres and plastic into the surrounding mangroves.

Nevertheless, some 2,000 American Crocodiles have adapted to life in the toxic river that bears witness to the country’s decadeslong battle with waste management.

“It is a super-contaminated area, but this has not affected the crocodile population,” said Ivan Sandoval, a biologist with the National University of Costa Rica.

“The Tarcoles River is the most polluted river in Costa Rica. Heavy metals, nitrites, nitrates, and human waste can be found,” added the crocodile expert.

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), there are only about 5,000 of the crocodile species -– found in 18 countries – left in the world after decades of hunting and habitat loss.

The organisation lists the Crocodylus acutus as “vulnerable”, but says its numbers have increased in recent years.

— AFP Doing well: despite the trashy situation, the number of american Crocodiles appears to have increased recently.