Fish and wildlife police are looking for the culprit who shot an American crocodile with a speargun in the Florida Keys over the weekend.
The eight-foot reptile was found Saturday around 11:45 p.m. near mile marker 101 in Key Largo with a spear lodged in the back of its head, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said.
FWC police officers and staff from ZooMiami tried to capture the croc so it could be treated, but it swam away, the FWC said in a statement.
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American crocodiles are native to South Florida and are federally protected. It is illegal to kill or harass them.
They were almost completely wiped out due to hunting, but have rebounded due to conservation efforts. In the 1970s, their numbers dwindled to the hundreds, but the population in the state is now believed to be well over 2,000 reptiles, according to the FWC.
Unlike their alligator cousins, which are known to occasionally attack people, American crocodiles tend to be shyer and less aggressive. Attacks on people are very rare, although pets have been known to be on their menu.
The FWC is asking anyone with photos and videos of the crocodile, or who has information on what happened, to call 888-404-3922. Tips can be anonymous, and the agency is offering a reward up to $1,000 for any information that leads to an arrest or citation.