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Oct 3, 2007 5:34 pm US/Central
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67-Year-Old Lincoln Park Zoo Croc Becomes A Dad
Crocodile Has Been At Zoo Since 1940
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
One of the oldest attractions at the Lincoln Park Zoo is celebrating becoming a father for the first time.
As CBS 2's Mai Martinez reports, it took the father of five little hatchlings 67 years.
"We're excited about that because this is the first offspring for our adult male crocodile who's been at Lincoln Park Zoo since 1940," said Diane Mulkerin.
The dwarf crocodile named R1 is a proud papa at the ripe old age of "67-ish". Zoo officials say they don't know exactly how old R1 is because there are no records, but he's at least 67.
Some of the first people to see his new offspring say that's impressive.
"I can't imagine being 67 years old," said zoo visitor Tony Hidrogo. "It's just amazing."
Also kind of amazing is the fact that zookeepers were able to retrieve the crocodile eggs before they were damaged.
The mother croc, Maggie, hasn't had the best track record of laying eggs in safe places, but this year, she used a special nesting box built by zookeepers, and viola – five healthy babies.
Zoo officials say they would like to one day see the baby crocodiles put on display with their parents, but they say right now that could be very dangerous.
"We are afraid that the sire and dame might not recognize that these are their kids and they might not feel protective, and if they're not going to protect them they might eat them," Mulkerin said.
So for now, the baby crocs are being displayed away from mom and dad.
And zoo officials aren't giving up hope on old R1.
"He's done it at 67, and 20 years from now he might do it again," Mulkerin said. "We don't know."
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