Roaring hotel music ‘KILLS’ endangered croc, reptile center snaps back
Complaints in hotels are common, but one establishment in India has received a claim their constant “loud bass music” has caused a death of an endangered species of crocodile living at a reptile sanctuary next door.
The 5-star Sheraton Grand Chennai is located next to the Madras Crocodile Bank, one of world’s largest herpetology centers that houses a valuable collection of over 2000 crocodiles and other reptiles.
Among them is a group of critically-endangered Cuban crocodiles, which included one male and four females. They are housed in an enclosure just 50 feet (15 m) from the wall bordering the hotel’s property – and the speakers erected to play music at the hotel’s regular events.
Also on rt.com Australians warned of crocodiles & snakes swarming in flooded areas… amidst feces (VIDEOS)Now, one of the founders of the center, renowned conservationist and reptile expert Rom Whitaker, claims the proximity to the speakers, and the refusal by the hotel to limit the noise, has resulted in one of the female’s dying due to shock.
In an emotional Facebook post, written on Thursday, Whitaker said the death of the female on March 30 coincided with “another roaring event” at the Sheraton where “heavy bass music” was being played on the hotel’s lawn. Despite repeated requests to turn the volume down, the music persisted. He noted the animal had been recently fed, was perfectly healthy, and had no history of injury and illness.
There is no doubt in my mind that the animal died as a result of stress caused by the vibrations, and there are precedents to this from the zoo community abroad.
“I am shattered by this loss. This is really too much!” Whittaker added. The center, which is now looking at the costly endeavour of moving the surviving group to a safer location, says they attempted to negotiate a solution with the hotel back in February and were assured they would comply with the decibel limits.
Since Whittaker’s post, supporters of the center have expressed sympathy with the “terrible loss” of the crocodile and blasted the hotel for its “shameful” behavior. More zealous posters suggested taking legal action against the chain, while one even mentioned dropping a croc into its compound.
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