Croc And Awe: Caimans Swarm On Olympic Site

[Jazzy]

Thousands of alligator-like creatures have set up home near some of the main 2016 Olympic Games sites in Rio de Janeiro.

Conservationists say up to 6,000 Caimans are now living in a large lagoon system in the densely-populated neighbourhoods west of the city centre.

The reptiles are not considered to be a threat to humans and are both smaller and less aggressive than alligators or crocodiles.

Biologist Ricardo Freitas tracks the survival of the creatures through his work as founder of the Caiman Institute.

He said pollution in the lagoon system increased the temperature of the water, attracting the caimans.

"High temperature is a positive factor for the animal. A big problem would be the lack of food, but people feed them so you have food, high temperature and the caimans, especially the larger ones start to concentrate in these places and dominate the territory," he said.

The caimans gather in a canal in the affluent Recreio dos Bandeirantes suburb which is sandwiched between two busy roads.

It is close to a key 2016 Olympic Games site, including where the Olympic village will be located.

Source

Cool. Maybe they can add a new Olympic game: Caiman Wrestling! What do you think?

 

[Bjornar]

Caiman Race B)

 

[Evil Eye]

Cool. Maybe they can add a new Olympic game: Caiman Wrestling! What do you think?

That'd be cruel!
They could do swimming away from caimans though

 

[Bjornar]

Anyone know how fast they swim?

 

[Evil Eye]

What and ruin the surprise?

 

[Bjornar]

Hahahahah, yeah.. Good point there..