Home » Animals & Pets » 'Critically endangered' crocodile at…

‘Critically endangered’ crocodile at National Zoo in DC dies from presumed electrical injury

Dana Sukontarak | Dana.Sukontarak@wtop.com
December 25, 2022, 8:27 AM

A 10-year-old male Cuban crocodile has died in its enclosure at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, according to a news release from the organization on Thursday. ... The institute said that in the early morning hours of Dec. 17, the crocodile was found deceased, and that the cause was a “presumed electrical injury sustained in its indoor habitat.”

Institute staff determined that the crocodile attacked a replacement electrical outlet in the habitat, which was placed higher than the original outlet at approximately 4.5 feet off the ground, according to the release. The crocodile had been living in the habitat for years without incident.

“Known for their aggressive behavior, the crocodile pulled the electric equipment off the wall and bit various pieces,” the release said.

{snip}

The institute said there are currently no plans to put another animal in the enclosure.

Dana Sukontarak
Dana Sukontarak is a Digital Writer/Editor for WTOP.com. She loves haiku poetry, short sci-fi stories and word games. She grew up in Prince George’s County, Maryland, and currently lives in Silver Spring.

Dana.Sukontarak@wtop.com
@LilAPStyle