Lifestyles Article - Helios Hernández
By Joseph Kandoll


Helios Hernández Hurtado, biologist at CUCosta (Centro Universitario de la Costa), doesn’t think of himself as a hero. Perhaps the word isn’t important, but he was catapulted to local hero status recently when he captured a crocodile that had wandered into a residential area. And again, during the early weeks of this year’s tardy rainy season, he was called by the local residents of La Manzanilla, an estuary south of Puerto Vallarta, to help rescue dying crocodiles. “I think the better we treat the crocodile, which has been around far longer than we have, the better chance we have of coexisting. It’s about our future.”

“A crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) suffers from the same illnesses humans do, like colds, infections, tummy aches.” But can’t they eat just anything? “No, they don’t eat carrion. They’re fussy, and won’t eat rotten meat that is lying around. They’re hunters.”

Crocodiles aren’t all that Helios has in the Reptilarium Cipactli at the university campus, which offers free admission to the public, but the subject fascinates. “When I studied at the University of Guadalajara in biology, I specialized in the crocodile. It seemed in a way friendless, misunderstood. I responded to the crocodile in the myths and legends of the people.”

There is a fascination, almost morbid, that prompts the question of safety in relation to the crocodiles in the region of Puerto Vallarta. “Things are changing,” says the biologist, looking out over the wetlands not far from the CUCosta campus, the very area where Golíat, the captured crocodile that measures almost 10 feet, was found. “If you look around, there are fewer places left as a habitat of the crocodile.” Pointing toward a simple brick factory, one of many in the region, he says, “The trenches the brick makers leave after digging out the clay for their bricks become pools when the rains come. The crocodile, with its acute sense of smell, will find those pools of water.” And so, we wake up with a crocodile in the back yard. But do not fear, Helios is here: helios@pv.udg.mx.