Swedish greenhouse croc finds new UK home
The Swedish police have found a new home for the crocodile found in a greenhouse in Malmö in October, with “Kaj” the Nile croc set to head to a zoo in the UK in February.
The hunt for a new home for “Kaj” has been relatively slow and arduous with several zoos across Europe declining the chance. The British The Crocodiles of the World Foundation zoo is reported to have been the last hope for the reptile and was luckily able to provide a home.
The crocodile turned up in a house in Malmö in October during a police raid where the owner was suspected of receiving stolen goods. But it wasn't until officers reached the greenhouse that the unusual haul was uncovered.
The two-metre long crocodile, alive and apparently well, was found inside the greenhouse. While police were unable or perhaps unwilling to remove the giant reptile, expert veterinarians were called in to assess the situation.
Experts identified the scaly beast as a Nile crocodile. The wife of the suspect claimed at the time that he had been given the crocodile as a present.
SEE ALSO: Think the Nile crocodile is bad? Check out Sweden's ten most dangerous animals
The 40-year-old homeowner was then detained by police, who also found a dead crocodile frozen in a freezer on the property.
When not in Swedish greenhouses, the Nile crocodile is most usually found in sub-Saharan Africa, where it can grow to be up to six metres long. The species, which has been listed by animal protection agency CITES as "threatened with extinction", is the second largest reptile in the world after the saltwater crocodile.
Comments
See Also
The hunt for a new home for “Kaj” has been relatively slow and arduous with several zoos across Europe declining the chance. The British The Crocodiles of the World Foundation zoo is reported to have been the last hope for the reptile and was luckily able to provide a home.
The crocodile turned up in a house in Malmö in October during a police raid where the owner was suspected of receiving stolen goods. But it wasn't until officers reached the greenhouse that the unusual haul was uncovered.
The two-metre long crocodile, alive and apparently well, was found inside the greenhouse. While police were unable or perhaps unwilling to remove the giant reptile, expert veterinarians were called in to assess the situation.
Experts identified the scaly beast as a Nile crocodile. The wife of the suspect claimed at the time that he had been given the crocodile as a present.
SEE ALSO: Think the Nile crocodile is bad? Check out Sweden's ten most dangerous animals
The 40-year-old homeowner was then detained by police, who also found a dead crocodile frozen in a freezer on the property.
When not in Swedish greenhouses, the Nile crocodile is most usually found in sub-Saharan Africa, where it can grow to be up to six metres long. The species, which has been listed by animal protection agency CITES as "threatened with extinction", is the second largest reptile in the world after the saltwater crocodile.
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.