SANTO DOMINGO.- Five months and 12 days after newspaper El Nacional reported the presence  of crocodiles in the Ozama river, a group of villagers yesterday shot twice and captured one in a pool next to the Higüero river, in Villa Mella, and the “Crocodile hunters” immediately demanded a 10,000 peso reward.

This morning Zoo biologists, headed by Gerald Garcia-Dubuc, examined the crocodile, and although the bullet wounds in various parts of the animal were confirmed, he said the projectiles didn’t damage vital organs.

Garcia-Dubuc said the 7-foot, male crocodile in approximately seven years old, is in good health, and is able to mate.

that the state  which indicates that it was fed well. It said that when finishes the process  recovery  the animal it is integrated the exhibition group that there is in the National Zoological Park.

Nacional first reported the crocodiles in Santo Domingo’s rivers on November 2 last year, when the Tropical Storm Noel caused the Ozama and Isabela rivers to overflow their banks.

Two of the animals which panicked those who live along the Isabela and Ozama rivers were seen last week in the village Cajuilito, and when a rumor spread of a reward for their capture, youngsters formed groups called "Crocodile-hunters".

The animal captured yesterday is an American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) and will join the seven adults and six young ones in the Zoo.