DR1 Daily News - Dominican Republic

Following an intensive search operation, a crocodile that had escaped from a local tourist attraction was successfully captured on Monday, 2 March 2026. The reptile had been missing since 25 February 2026, after heavy rains caused the Joba River, in northern Espaillat province, to overflow, allowing the animal to escape its enclosure at the Rugama Ecological Park in Islabón, Sabaneta de Yásica.

As reported, the crocodile was located around 5pm at Playa Laguna in Cabarete, just meters away from a popular tourist complex. The capture was a result of a joint operation utilizing specialized nets, following several failed attempts to secure the animal in previous days near Playa Encuentro.

Rudy Martínez, owner of the Rugama restaurant and ecological park, noted that the escape was likely triggered by the rising river levels. Once captured, the reptile was handed over to...