Rather rare in Europe, three new sacred crocodiles were born on Thursday at the Aquatis aquarium in Lausanne. These are three females. Since 2016, there are now 17 young of this species in sharp decline in the world who have been born.
Aquatis is one of the only vivariums to have a couple of sacred crocodiles, or crocodiles from West Africa, which we no longer officially confuse since 2011 with the Nile crocodile, and the only one to breed them. It is an own species, whose number of representatives has greatly decreased. More than a million in 1946, there would remain between 2,500 and 3,500 today, Michel Ansermet, director of the large aquarium in Lausanne, told Keystone-ATS.
Out of 21 eggs, only five had been incubated and three gave births, he said. A first female came out of her shell at midday, another pointed her muzzle soon after and the third was due to come out by the end of the day.
Visible this fall
They measure approximately 30 centimeters and weigh less than 50 grams. Adults, they can reach more than three meters.
The public will however have to be patient. Reptiles will only be visible from October or November. Aquatis has no visible nursery, notes Mr. Ansermet.
Of the 17 sacred baby crocodiles born in Lausanne, eight have already been placed in other animal parks, notably in the Czech Republic. With the three births on Thursday, there are still nine at Aquatis. Some will soon be sent to Denmark, specifies the zoologist, specialist in poisonous reptiles and crocodiles.
/ ATS
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