The voices of those who see the abundance of crocs as a problem are getting louder.

Tamarindo's Tourism Chamber was the latest to put itself at the center of Costa Rica's crocodile debate by requesting the removal of a dangerous croc.

After two crocodiles were seen in the ocean at Esterillos Este's recent surf event, organizer Walter Brenes said the government needs to take the appropriate actions to curb croc overpopulation.

Costa Rica is tied with Brazil for the most reported crocodile attacks in the Americas this year.

Jon Becker, 59, remained in critical condition early Friday evening at Enrique Baltodano Hospital in Liberia.

Environment officials have seen a decrease by up to 90 percent in complaints related to tourists feeding or approaching crocodiles. Local residents also are warming up to the signs.

Locals had hoped to remove the problem croc, but the estuary where it lives is part of a national park and crocodiles cannot be removed without scientific evidence of overpopulation. Instead, local leaders hope to educate the population about crocodile behavior.

On the first day of his surf trip on March 6 in Tamarindo, Montreal native Val Muscalu was waiting his turn for a wave when suddenly he was ripped off his board.

A Costa Rican crocodile expert is now recuperating in a hospital bed after being bitten last Wednesday by a crocodile during a relocation demonstration in the coffee town of Atenas, 44 kilometers northwest of the capital.

With one of the highest rates of crocodile attacks in the Americas, Costa Rica is now struggling as the giant reptiles expand their territory to popular tourist destinations.