HANCOCK COUNTY, Ind. -- A homeowner found a three-foot-long crocodile in a creek near his Hancock County home Monday evening.
Indiana Conservation officers responded to the area near Brandywine Creek and found tracks in the mud that were consistent with an alligator. They used spotlights and large dip nets to capture the creature and determined it was a three-foot-long crocodile.
The crocodile is currently being housed at a secure facility until a suitable home can be found.
Crocodiles and alligators are not native to Indiana, and although officers occasionally find one in our waters, they are not naturally occurring. It is legal to possess a crocodilian up to five feet long in Indiana without a state permit, however, some species may require a federal permit.
“Crocodilians are generally purchased by people who are interested in caring for an exotic and exciting pet, but they soon realize that proper care is difficult and expensive,” said Capt. Bill Browne. “The focus now will be to determine who may have released it, and make sure they do not have any other wild animals that might be released.”
If you have any information about where this crocodile may have come from, please contact our 1-800-TIP-IDNR call line. Callers can remain anonymous.
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