Mexico City, May 14 (EFE).- Five crocodiles were returned to their natural habitat and a sixth is undergoing treatment for wounds at a wildlife center following trapping operations in populated areas in Mexico’s Tamaulipas, Guerrero and Tabasco states, the Profepa federal environmental protection agency said.

Three crocs were trapped in residential areas in Tampico, a city in the northeastern state of Tamaulipas, and released in their natural habitat after the heavy rains that hit the area earlier this week, the environmental protection agency said in a statement.

Profepa workers trapped the crocodiles with the assistance of firefighters and emergency management office personnel.

Two of the crocodiles were returned to the Laguna del Carpintero and the third to a lagoon in the city of Madero.

“These situations are common in this area after rains of this magnitude, so we ask the public to be careful,” the Profepa said.

A crocodile was trapped at the Alberto Carrera Torres dam in Mainero, another city in Tamaulipas, because it posed a danger to the public.

The reptile was released at the Presa Vicente Guerrero in the city of Padilla Zona Sur, where it would not pose a threat to residents, the agency said.

A crocodile trapped in Puerto Marques, a city in the southern state of Guerrero, was taken to a wildlife management center because it had wounds caused by fishing tackle.

Profepa personnel trapped and relocated a crocodile found in the yard of a house in the Medellin y Madero district of Centro, a city in the southeastern state of Tabasco.

The croc, which residents said came from some wetlands behind the house, was released in the Tabasquillo River. EFE