Early this week, on Monday, January 12, 2026, residents and employees of Mahogany Bay Village, along with students of The Island Academy and Island High School, got an unexpected delay to start their day, thanks to a large crocodile that found itself stuck along the main entrance road of the resort where the school compound is located.
According to reports, the reptile was attempting to make its way back to the lagoon but became blocked by fencing along the roadside, where it eventually settled in. For safety reasons, security personnel kept the area closed, preventing both vehicles and pedestrians from entering while help was on the way.
Truth be told, scenes like this are no longer uncommon on Ambergris Caye, especially on the lagoon side of the island. More and more, we hear about crocodiles showing up in people’s yards, under houses, and sometimes even along busy streets. As our communities continue to expand closer to mangrove areas, their natural habitat, encounters like this are bound to happen.
Thankfully, ACES Wildlife Rescue was quickly contacted and responded to safely remove the animal and return it to its natural environment. In a statement shared by ACES, they explained:
“This was simply a case of wrong place, wrong time. This croc was on his way back to the lagoon when he found himself blocked by fencing and hunkered down. Thanks to the quick action of Mahogany Bay security, the area was kept clear while we were able to safely secure and relocate him back where he belongs. Not a bad excuse for a few kids being late to school that morning!”
Crocodile Info To Know
ACES also took the opportunity to educate the public on why crocodile encounters are becoming more visible and how residents should respond.
Important Facts About Crocodiles in Belize, From ACES Wildlife Rescue
A) Crocodiles do not see humans as prey.
They prefer to avoid people and will usually retreat if given space. The idea that crocodiles chase humans is largely a myth. However, they are still wild animals and will defend themselves if they feel threatened. Always keep a safe distance.
B) Crocodiles are most active at dawn and dusk.
They frequently move between feeding and resting areas. In this case, the animal was likely trying to return to the lagoon when it became trapped by fencing along a heavily trafficked road, and with school starting, intervention was necessary to keep both people and the crocodile safe.
C) Belize does not have a crocodile overpopulation problem.
In fact, crocodile numbers have declined due to habitat loss, pollution, and illegal poaching. We see them more often not because there are more of them, but because human development continues to push into their territory and improper disposal of food attracts wildlife closer to homes.
D) Crocodiles are vital to the ecosystem.
They help maintain healthy fish populations and keep other species in balance. Without apex predators like crocodiles, ecosystems can become unstable and disease can spread more easily. Because of these threats, their conservation status in Belize has recently been reviewed, with crocodiles now considered critically endangered in some areas.
Living With Wildlife on La Isla Bonita
Encounters like this remind us that while Ambergris Caye continues to grow, we are still sharing this island with wildlife that was here long before us. Coexisting safely means being informed, respectful, and supportive of organizations like ACES Wildlife Rescue, who work tirelessly to protect both people and animals.
In the end, everyone made it safely to school and work, and the crocodile made it safely back home. And that’s exactly how it should be. 🐊🌿
