‘High decibel music proves fatal for Cuban crocodile’

Whitaker, one of the founders of MCB said, “There is no doubt in my mind that the animal died as a result of stress caused by the vibrations and there are precedents to this from the zoo community abroad.

The Cuban crocodile enclosure is around 50 feet from the wall which divides the hotel from MCB and the powerful hi-fidelity speakers had been placed right next to it. The animal had been healthy, had fed recently, and had no injuries or history of sickness”.

The post prompted several animal activists and herpetologists to support the cause following which a meeting was held at the Crocodile Bank attended by the MCB trustees and Sheraton Grand Hotel management on Thursday. Following the meeting, Whitaker said that the hotel management had agreed to comply with legal regulations in terms of acceptable decibel limits and permitted timings. “Sheraton will also appoint a sound consultant who will submit a report in 10 days recommending additional mitigatory methods which the hotel can take. We look forward to receiving this report and proceeding further to resolve this issue once and for all,” he said.

When contacted, Shibil Malik, General Manager, Sheraton Grand Chennai Resort & Spa said, “We, at Sheraton Grand Chennai Resort & Spa are committed to safeguarding our environment and have always adhered to the laws of the land. We have been proactively working with the Madras Crocodile Bank on the concerns raised by them, post our last meeting in the month of February. We assure the authorities concerned of our fullest support.”