Gator on the Street
(Photo : Wallpaper flare)

As humans hunker down inside their homes, animals have taken over the civilized world, pouring into city streets amid the coronavirus crisis.

Human presence would, typically, keep wild animals away from city propers. But with billions of people locked inside, some animals began to wander and enjoy the quiet open. Others have started looking for food, with some accepting offerings given by tourists and local residents.

Most cities see deers, boars, monkeys, and dogs invading the streets. Some, however, reported sightings of mountain lions and pumas.


Out of the Wild


In Mexico, crocodiles have taken control over a beach of a popular resort after it shut down operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Photos making rounds through social media platforms showed the lagoon beach at La Ventanilla in Oaxaca, serving as home to several crocodiles bathing under the sun. Some crocs were even caught surfing the waves.

The resort has been closed since the start of April following the Mexican government's newly-imposed lockdown measures in a bid to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus.

In November 2019, a 65-year-old fisherman was stretched out and fast asleep on the sand when a two-meter long crocodile attacked him.

The attack happened on the Boca da Barra beach, which was located near another popular tourist destination, Puerto Escondido.

Despite the crocodile's size, the man, who was later identified as Amadeo Barrera, managed to escape. Paramedics treated him before being taken to a local medical facility in Puerto Escondido.

Barrera reportedly suffered multiple lacerations to his arm, leg, and head from the crocodile's attack

The attack was a rare circumstance as the reptiles were not known to make their way close to the Colotepec river's mouth---a river that connects to the Pacific Ocean.

Locals and experts said higher water levels in rivers, streams, and lagoons increased the risk of the crocodiles leaving their natural habitat. The rare occurrence also contributes to a higher risk of people and animals getting attacked.

Cancun Attack

In July 2017, a tourist in Cancun, Mexico was attacked by a crocodile after he went to the Nichupte Lagoon to urinate. 

Cal Monzon, 40-years-old believed to be an American citizen, was left in critical condition after the reptile bit off his arm up to the elbow. He managed to get away after struggling with the wild animal. 

A security guard who was working nearby discovered Monzon after hearing his screams. He was brought to the local hospital where doctors amputated his arm due to the severity of the damage caused by the attack. 

Authorities have set up signs around the lagoon warning people about the 150 reptiles living in its waters. Nichupte experiences several crocodile attacks annually. 

The victim was reportedly intoxicated during the time of the attack.

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