World Cup fan fest abandoned after being constructed in the course of a crocodile swamp
Officials set up the Fut Fest – featuring games, street food and a giant screen beaming in all the matches – in a conservation area home to thousands of wild crocodiles up to 15ft long
The World Cup fan fest in Mexican party city Cancun has been virtually deserted – after it was built in the middle of a swamp teeming with crocodiles.
Officials set up the Fut Fest – featuring games, street food and a giant screen beaming in all the matches – at Malecon Tajamar next to the city’s Nichupte Lagoon. The conservation area is home to thousands of wild crocodiles up to 15ft long at least three of which have previously attacked humans.
To reach the fan zone supporters have to trek half-a-mile through croc-infested mangrove. Warning signs advise folk not to step off the path in case they come face-to-face with a croc. The big screen telly is situated on the shore of the lagoon where the crocodiles like to bask.
They usually come out at dusk – when World Cup matches are being shown. When the Daily Star visited during the screening of Croatia’s 1-0 victory over Panama in England’s Group L there were just five brave souls watching.
Heavily armed police were patrolling the perimeter. According to one of several tourism websites offering reptile-viewing trips: “While these crocodiles are typically reclusive and avoid humans they are highly unpredictable wild animals.
“Swimming in the Nichupté Lagoon is strictly prohibited and highly dangerous due to the crocodile population.”
The site states the mangrove’s environment packed with ‘natural prey’ makes the lagoon an ‘ideal hunting and breeding ground for wild crocodiles’.
“The glassy waters allow the reptiles to swim effortlessly while the sun-baked muddy banks offer prime locations for sunbathing and regulating their cold-blooded body temperatures.”
Visitors are warned not to swim in the lagoon, pay attention to keep out signs, not to feed the crocs as it only makes them ‘bolder’, keep a safe distance and make sure dogs are on leads.
A Texas tourist was attacked by a crocodile while spearfishing in 2018 and a 12-year-old boy was dragged underwater by one five years ago.
Last year Mark ‘C’, 31, from Texas was attacked as he tried to photograph a crocodile. He was treated in hospital for bite marks and bruising.
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