Rare And Endangered Cuban Crocodile Dies Of Stress After Chennai Hotel Plays Loud Music
Friday, April 5, 2019 IST
Noise pollution concerns all of us but the authorities don't even pay lip service to it. Humans especially are always at the receiving end of this but it is now even affecting animals. In a tragic news coming from Chennai, a rare Cuban crocodile allegedly died of stress caused by loud music played in a resort.
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The female crocodile at the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust, Centre for Herpetology allegedly died on March 30 after the Sheraton Grand Chennai Resort and Spa held an event where loud music was played.
Romulus Whitaker, one of the founders of the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust, in a Facebook post said, "heavy bass music was being played in its lawn area and continued in spite of repeated requests to lower the volume. There is no doubt in my mind that the animal died as a result of stress caused by the vibrations".
Cuban crocodile was a critically endangered species according to the World Conservation Union (IUCN) listing. The crocodile bank had five of Cuban crocodiles, out of which one female died on March 30.
"We will now consider moving the group to another location, an expensive and difficult undertaking. As one of the founders of the Croc Bank, I am shattered by this loss. This is really too much," Whitaker added.
This is not the first time the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust which was established in 1976, has expressed concern over the resort which began operations in February this year.
In February itself, Whitaker had flagged concerns over the decibel levels form the resort.
However, following a meeting between the trustees of the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust and Sheraton Grand Chennai, the resort authorities had assured that they will comply with the legal regulations in terms of acceptable decibel limits and permitted timings. Additionally, they will take measures to control vibrations.
But the death of the Cuban crocodile due to the vibrations suggest that nothing has been done.
Sheraton is yet to issue a statement on the matter. Ironically enough the resort was observing Earth Hour.
According to experts, noise pollution can be deadly for animals and birds who use them to communicate. Excessive noise can result in the loss of that sensitivity – and thus their ability to survive.
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