In one of the most polluted rivers in Central America, a vulnerable crocodile species is thriving despite living in waters that have become a sewer for Costa Rica.
The Tarcoles River is polluted with trash and waste from San Jose every day.
Some 2,000 American crocodiles have adapted to live in the toxic river that bears witness to the country's decades-long battle with waste management.
The crocodile population has not been affected by the contaminated area.
One of the most polluted rivers in Costa Rica is the Tarcoles River. A large amount of human waste and heavy metals can be found.
There are only about 5000 crocodile species left in the world after decades of hunting and habitat loss.
The Crocodylus acutus is listed as vulnerable by the organization. Costa Rica's population is healthy and strong.
The large reptiles basking in the sun and occasionally feeding on fish that come up the channel from the sea appear unperturbed by some 150 types ofbacteria that have been detected in the river
He says that the carnivores are living fossils with the ability to survive very tough conditions.
In millions of years, they have not had to change anything.
Costa Rica's population of crocodiles has recovered since 1980, but the threat of tourist activities is still present.
Foreign tourists take boat tours to see the crocodiles up close.
Some people feed the animals, which is against the rules.
Juan Carlos Buitrago, the captain of one of the tour boats, says he and other locals pull hundreds of tires and plastic waste from the water.
He enjoys the fauna of the river, but wishes his countrymen wouldn't ruin it.
He tells Agence France-Presse that pollution cannot be hidden.
According to the UN's environmental agency, Costa Rica has a third of its territory marked for protection, 98 percent renewable energy, and 53 percent forest cover.
In the case of the Tarcoles River, the law is sometimes not strictly applied.
All of Costa Rica's rules and regulations don't solve the problem, according to Walter.
He said the country needs a policy that protects wildlife.
Agence France- Presse.
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