A black market trade of crocodile meat is threatening to drive the specie into extinction in western Jamaica.

THE WEEKEND STAR understands that the trade is said to be between Westmoreland and Trelawny where poachers catch crocodiles and sell them to Chinese and other foreigners who have a liking for the meat.

"A waan tell yuh seh, every night when nobody nuh deh a di Safari, di man dem tief two or three a di crocodile dem. Right now di one dem wha lef ova deh a di one dem over 10 foot an' dem one deh cross so maybe dat's why dem still ova deh," said a resident who lives near the defunct Safari in Falmouth, Trelawny.

The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) has said it is investigating the reports of the trade.

"We have heard of it ... We are unable to say much more at this time because we do not have much more information," said NEPA spokesman Agostino Pinnock.

Problem worsened

While the Falmouth police say that they have not received any reports about the trade, the resident said that it started a few months ago but has got worse in recent months.

He said to date, at least eight crocodiles have been taken from the Safari. The crocodiles taken are mainly those between six and eight feet long. The meat is sold for between $3,000 and $25,000 per animal. Snakes on the other hand fetch an average price of $5,000.

"Actually, we have had reports that around (eight) that number is missing. Based on what we have heard, it would seem that the people involved know about crocodiles because of how they are caught. We have also heard they are being eaten," said a local environmentalist who wished not to be named.

Lucrative trade

The reportedly lucrative trade in the reptile meat came to light a few weeks ago when the Montego Bay police stopped a white Toyota Corolla during a routine spot check off Howard Cooke Boulevard in that city. During the search, the police reportedly opened the trunk of the car and found a female crocodile measuring 2.325 metres (7' 9") curled up where the tyre is usually kept. The animal was transported to the Safari in Falmouth where it later died. The men will be sentenced in January next year.

"From how dem did treat it, mi know seh it would a dead. It did have a cord in a him throat. When we tek it out is a big hook wid piece a chicken we see pon it. It dead after that because di whole a di inside tear up and dem batter it," said the resident.

"A sin though because suppose yuh si how di sitten di pretty an' full a pattern," the resident added.

Although no one knows for sure who the buyers of the croc and snake meat are, residents have pointed fingers at the Chinese workers on the Trelawny Multipurpose Stadium, Greenfield.

"We have heard that this (the Chinese workers who eat the meat) may be a contributing factor but we cannot prove it at this time because the investigations are ongoing.We hear that other foreigners also have a taste for the meat and that there is also a local trade, but we are still investigating so we cannot say much about it," said Pinnock.

However, when THE WEEKEND STAR visited the area, the Chinese workers denied the allegations.

Eventually one resident with whom the team spoke was not shy to tell us that he had eaten the meat. Crocodile meat, according him, appears white and tastes like ordinary meat.

Cooking instructions

Checks on the Internet show that croc meat is eaten in countries such as Australia, Thailand, South Africa and Cuba. It is said to be low in fat and high in protein. In Australia it can be served in various forms such as pickled, kebabs (where the tail is used), served along with mango, ginger and lemon sauces. One website advises that it is best cooked frozen with olive oil because margarine and other hydrogenated fats will cause it to lose flavour.

In countries such as China, the organs are sold and used for medicinal purposes. Studies also suggest that its blood called crocodillin, can be used as an anti-biotic to treat illnesses.

Meanwhile, NEPA is warning the public that it is illegal to catch or be seen with the reptiles or any of its parts. If caught, persons can be fined $100,000 or be sentenced to as much as 12 months in prison.