Sep 25, 2008 1:53 pm US/Eastern
Endangered Cuban Croc Retires To Miami Metrozoo
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
The latest retiree from New York awakened in Miami Thursday morning to partly sunny skies and South Florida's infamous high humidity.
But she didn't seem to mind.
At just over eight feet, Maria is an endangered Cuban Crocodile which has spent more than three decades on display at the Bronx Zoo.
"Maria's long time mate was named Fidel," Miami Metrozoo's Ron Magill explained to
CBS4 Reporter Marybel Rodriguez. "He died several years ago."
On Wednesday, Maria was transported to Miami's Metrozoo and her new home.
"Maria is still in shock," said Magill. "This is the first time she sees natural sunlight and grass because for the past 40 years she was living in a building in the Bronx Zoo."
Magill doesn't think it will take her long to acclimate to her home.
"The Bronx Zoo is one of the finest zoos in the country, but you know what, it's not Miami," said Magill. "Especially now coming in November and December, she's going to be down here in the sunshine and the humidity. She's going to be 'livin' la vida loca' here in Miami."
Magill adds that Metrozoo will be the perfect place for Maria to live out her 'golden years' as she will remain behind the scenes in a special enclosure to give her privacy and relaxation.
He adds that Metrozoo already has a breeding pair of Cuban Crocodiles on exhibit that have produced several offspring which have been sent to a variety of other zoos as part of a comprehensive breeding program.
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