The dead reptile was allegedly spotted in the Trent and Mersey Canal
The ‘crocodile’ spotted in the canal
Police believe a crocodile could have been spotted in a Midlands canal earlier this week.
The Derbyshire Rural Crime Team posted the “the strangest appeal” on its Facebook page on Thursday, October 16.
The unusual post related to a dead reptile, which was allegedly spotted in the Trent and Mersey Canal.
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It read: “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.
“Yes, you read that correctly… a crocodile!
“The crocodile was allegedly sighted between bridge 22 and 22a on the Trent and Mersey Canal, nearby to Mercia Marina, Willington sometime over the last 24-48 hours.
“The report was sent to the Canal and River Trust however, on their arrival, the crocodile was no longer present.
“We’re going to go out on a limb and guess this little guy isn’t native to Derbyshire and as such, if you can offer any information about the crocodiles whereabouts now, or, have knowledge of how it ended up at that site, please drop us a direct message or email us at DRCT@derbyshire.police.uk
“For clarification, although we cannot claim to be medical professionals.. we are acutely aware the crocodile is deceased.”
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One reply read: “Probably was an illegal exotic pet that someone got fed up with.”
A second wrote: “Are you sure you’ve not been had on with an AI image?”
Another response read: “Looks like a dwarf Cayman to me, a very dead one.”