A crocodile discovered on the banks of a Derbyshire canal sparked a frantic police hunt before being revealed as a stuffed taxidermy specimen filled with hay.
The 3ft reptile was hooked out of the Trent and Mersey Canal by an angler and left on the towpath between bridge 22 and bridge 22a near Mercia Marina in Willington, prompting fears a dangerous animal was on the loose in the British countryside.
A member of the public photographed the creature and alerted Derbyshire Constabulary, who rushed to the scene only to discover it had vanished.
Police Launch Unprecedented Appeal Over Public Safety Fears
Officers launched what they described as their “strangest appeal ever” on Thursday after becoming concerned about public safety, with the Canal and River Trust, which manages Britain’s waterways, also called in to assist with the search.
Fearful the crocodile could pose a genuine threat, police wisely issued warnings whilst acknowledging they were not “medical professionals” and suspected the animal was most likely dead.
A police spokesperson said at the time: “We know this is probably the strangest appeal ever to grace our Facebook page, however, we are appealing for your help in relation to a suspected crocodile that was reported dumped in South Derbyshire.”
The statement continued: “Yes, you read that correctly… a crocodile! We’re going to go out on a limb and guess this little guy isn’t native to Derbyshire.”
Fisherman Solves Mystery Within 24 Hours
Just 24 hours after launching their appeal, police received a call from a fisherman that solved the peculiar mystery.
The reptile turned out to be a stuffed taxidermy crocodile filled with hay that had been accidentally caught whilst fishing and inadvertently left on the towpath.
Derbyshire Constabulary announced the resolution with good humour, telling the public: “Derbyshire Crocodile Mystery Solved. A member of public has come forward and explained that the crocodile was a stuffed taxidermy one, filled with hay, and inadvertently caught while fishing.”
The force added: “While it gave us all a bit of a surprise, it turns out this one was more fluff than fear. We’re incredibly grateful for the public support and the good humour. It’s not every day we get to say we’ve dealt with a crocodile in Derbyshire.”
Officers ended their statement with a lighthearted warning: “Keep your eyes peeled. You never know what might turn up next.”
Crocodiles Not Native to British Waterways
Crocodiles are not indigenous to the United Kingdom, with the ancient predators typically found in tropical regions across Australia, India, Africa and other warm climates around the world.
The discovery initially raised questions about how such a creature could have ended up in a Derbyshire canal, with possibilities including illegal exotic pet ownership or deliberate dumping.
Whilst this particular incident turned out to be harmless, the case highlights ongoing concerns about non-native species being released into British waterways, whether dead or alive.
Deadly Predators Pose Serious Threat in Native Habitats
Genuine crocodile encounters remain extremely dangerous in regions where the reptiles are native, with fatal attacks occurring regularly.
A 57-year-old Indian woman named Mahala was recently snatched from the banks of the Kharastrota River by a crocodile. Footage captured by locals showed the massive reptile swimming through the water with the victim’s lifeless body gripped in its jaws.
Villagers who witnessed the attack from the riverbank attempted to chase the predator but were unable to rescue the woman.
A similarly tragic incident occurred recently in Indonesia when a father-of-four was attacked whilst bathing with family members along the Bulete River in South Sulawesi. The horrifying assault was captured on camera, with the victim heard wailing in agony as the predator maintained its deadly grip.
These incidents serve as stark reminders of the lethal nature of crocodiles in their natural environments, making the British police response to the Derbyshire discovery entirely justified given initial concerns for public safety.
Unusual Wildlife Reports on the Rise
The bizarre case adds to a growing list of unusual animal sightings and discoveries reported to British police forces in recent years.
From big cat sightings in rural areas to escaped exotic pets in urban centres, officers increasingly find themselves dealing with wildlife-related calls that fall well outside typical policing duties.
The Derbyshire incident, whilst ultimately resolved with laughter rather than drama, demonstrates the importance of taking public safety reports seriously, even when they seem improbable.
The quick response from both police and the Canal and River Trust showed appropriate caution given the potential danger a real crocodile would pose to canal users, including walkers, anglers and boaters frequenting the popular waterway.
Local residents and visitors to Mercia Marina can now rest assured that no dangerous reptiles are lurking in the Trent and Mersey Canal, though the incident will likely become a memorable talking point in the area for years to come.
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