Q&A with the department's mascot!

29 May 2025

English text below

Q&A with Mokum 🐊 - the one and only mascot of DWARS Noord-Holland - Flevoland!

What is your name?
My name is Mokum! 🐊 Soon you will see me as that striking green crocodile popping up everywhere at DWARS Noord-Holland - Flevoland. And believe me: yes, I really am as cuddly as I look (although you have to watch out for my teeth if you say something unfair)

What are your pronouns?
I use them/them as pronouns. Because, of course, crocodiles can be non-binary too!

How old are you?
I am two years old now, but in crocodile years that means I am still in the prime of my life: young, fresh and full of ideals to make the world a little greener and fairer.

Where are you from?
I am originally from a distant, tropical river, but luckily I was saved in time by DWARS Noord-Holland - Flevoland from a life in captivity due to poaching. Did you know that crocodiles are endangered worldwide? Mainly because of our beautiful, shiny green skin - they are hunted for fashion and luxury products. Truly unimaginable that this still happens in this day and age! Fortunately, I have found a safe home here in the Netherlands, where I can stand up for my fellow crocodiles and for people and animals that are also oppressed (by the system).

Where are you living now?
These days, I live in Amsterdam Nieuw-West, together with the fantastic general board member (AB) of DWARS NH-FL. We don't have our own home yet, so we still bivouac at her parents' house - the housing market really is a disaster. Even a tiny studio is hardly affordable. This is also why we call on everyone to sign our motion and petition on housing! We want a fair housing market in which young people, students and also crocodiles can find a place:

What is your favourite drink?
Ooooh, without a doubt: MONSTER Energy! It gives me so much energy that I can easily handle an entire day of meetings, protests, actions and hugs!

How would you like to commit to DWARS?
As the mascot of DWARS NH-FL, I want to make sure everyone feels safe, welcome and seen in our department. I am there for hugs, selfies, moral support and to give the occasional sharp bite against injustice. I hope I can help bring more atmosphere, warmth and togetherness to everything we do - and most of all, that people enjoy becoming active with us.

What do you think are important DWARS themes?
Well, there are quite a few! Here come my top priorities:

Animal rights, of course! Poaching, animal suffering and biodiversity loss are serious issues that we as DWARS really need to address.
Queer rights! As a non-binary crocodile, I think it is important that everyone can be themselves, regardless of gender, sexual orientation or identity.
Migration and human rights - I myself have also ‘fled’ from dangerous circumstances and been adopted by a loving community. That is why it touches me deeply when people in Europe or elsewhere are denied their fundamental rights.
And last but not least: international solidarity. Consider Palestine: it is unacceptable that human rights have been violated there for decades

What are your best character traits?
I am incredibly sweet, patient and helpful. You can always count on me for a listening ear (or ear flap), a hug, or just a little company if you are new. I think it's important to be inclusive and open to everyone.

What are your worst character traits?
Fair is fair... I'm a bit naughty sometimes. And yes, I admit it: I bite sometimes. But only gently, mind you! Or if you really say something really unfair.

Which activity are you most looking forward to?
Oeeeh, I'm most looking forward to the summer conference! That will be my very first DWARS activity, so I'm super curious about what to expect. Super fun to meet Worstenbrooike & Bolus from Brabant-Zeeland and of course AJ from Gelderland! Furthermore, I am hugely looking forward to our own DWARS NH-FL activities, such as our upcoming activity on climate justice, as well as protesting together and flyering for the city council. Moreover, the summer camp organised by the AcCie (Activities Committee) is also high on my list.

Final comment?
I am going to make sure that DWARS NH-FL will feel like a warm bath for everyone, and I hope to pass on that feeling to everyone. Together, we will work for a better world - and in the meantime, we will also have a lot of fun!

Will you drop by our activities sometime to meet me?

English:

Q&A with Mokum 🐊 - the one and only mascot of DWARS Noord-Holland - Flevoland!

What's your name?
My name is Mokum! Soon you'll see me pop up everywhere as that bright green crocodile representing DWARS Noord-Holland - Flevoland. And trust me: yes, I really am as huggable as I look (though you might want to watch out for my teeth if you say something unjust).

What are your pronouns?
I use they/them pronouns - because yes, crocodiles can be non-binary too! Identity knows no species boundaries. I stand for radical inclusion - for both humans and animals.

How old are you?
I'm two years old now, which in crocodile years means I'm in the prime of my life: young, fresh, and full of ideals to make the world greener and more just.

Where are you from?
I originally came from a distant tropical river, but thankfully I was rescued in time by DWARS NH-FL from a life of captivity and poaching. Did you know crocodiles are threatened globally? Mostly because of our beautiful, shiny green skin - hunted for fashion and luxury products. It's hard to believe this still happens in today's world! Luckily, I've found a safe home here in the Netherlands, where I can stand up for my fellow crocodiles and for people being oppressed by the system.

Where do you live now?
I currently live in Amsterdam Nieuw-West with the fantastic General Board Member (AB) of DWARS NH-FL. We don't have our own place yet, so we're crashing at her parents’ house - the housing market is a disaster. Even a tiny studio is nearly unaffordable. That's why we're calling on everyone to support our housing resolution and petition! We want a fair housing market where young people, students, and yes, even crocodiles, can find a home:

What's your favourite drink?
Ohhh, without a doubt: MONSTER Energy! It gives me all the energy I need to power through a full day of meetings, protests, actions, and cuddles!

How do you want to contribute to DWARS?
As the mascot of DWARS NH-FL, I want to make sure everyone feels safe, welcome, and seen in our chapter. I'm here for the hugs, the selfies, the moral support - and the occasional bite against injustice. I hope I can help bring more atmosphere, warmth, and solidarity to everything we do - and most of all, inspire people to become active with us.

What DWARS themes are most important to you?
Oh, there are quite a few! Here are my top priorities:

Animal rights - Naturally! Poaching, animal suffering, and biodiversity loss are serious issues we need to tackle.
Queer rights - As a non-binary crocodile, it's important to me that everyone can be themselves, no matter their gender, orientation, or identity.
Migration and human rights - I ‘fled’ from dangerous conditions myself and was welcomed by a loving community. It really hits me when people in Europe or elsewhere are denied their basic rights.
International solidarity - Just look at Palestine: it's unacceptable that human rights have been violated there for decades, and we must raise our voices.

What are your best personality traits?
I'm super sweet, patient, and helpful. You can always count on me for a listening ear (or ear flap), a comforting cuddle, or just some friendly company if you're new. I believe in being inclusive and open to everyone.

And your worst traits?
Okay... I can be a little mischievous. And yes, I admit it: sometimes I bite. But only softly! Or when someone says something really unjust.

Which event are you most excited for?
Oeeeh, I'm most looking forward to the summer congress! That will be my very first DWARS activity, so I'm super curious about what to expect. Super fun to meet there Worstenbrooike & Bolus from Brabant-Zeeland and of course AJ from Gelderland! Furthermore, I am super looking forward to our own DWARS NH-FL activities, such as our upcoming activity on climate justice, as well as protesting together and flyering for the city council. In addition, the summer camp organised by the AcCie (Activities Committee) is also high on my list.

Final thoughts?
I'm going to do everything I can to make DWARS NH-FL feel like a warm bath for everyone. I hope I can share that feeling with as many people as possible. Together, we're building a better world - and having a whole lot of fun doing it!

Will you come to one of our events to meet me?