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Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Tourists' horror as crocodile spotted lurking in popular Brit holiday hotspot
Holidaymakers and local in Albacete, Castilla-La Mancha, in Spain, were left stunned after a 3ft reptile was planted in a commonly used reservoir before being taken by cops Panicked tourists fled in horror after a 3ft crocodile was spotted swimming in a reservoir at a popular Spanish holiday destination. The reptile, later identified as a yacare caiman, was seen slithering through the water near a busy bathing area in Albacete, Castilla-La Mancha, sending holidaymakers into a frenzy. Two stunned teens first spotted the beast before it was eventually captured by police, just metres from where families had been cooling off in the scorching summer heat. Authorities are now desperately hunting the person responsible for dumping the crocodile into the reservoir as they believe it could have put people's lives at risk. The creature, originally mistaken for an alligator, belongs to a crocodile family usually found lurking in the wilds of Brazil, Argentina and Bolivia, but not in Spain. Specialist officers from the Guardia Civil's nature team, Seprona, backed by local fishing club members and wildlife experts, launched a dramatic operation to bait and capture the reptile before it could strike. It was lurking near a jetty at a popular swimming spot when it was caught. It's since been transferred to Madrid Zoo. Now, investigators have launched a probe into who smuggled it into the country, with fears it may have been part of the illegal exotic pet trade, the Sun reports. Officials say the release of non-native animals without a permit is not just reckless, but also a criminal offence which can lead to an ecological disaster. A spokesman for the local environemntal agency said: "'This type of irresponsible release represents a serious risk to local biodiversity and can generate security problems." The shock find has sparked fear in the area, with some locals and tourists now too scared to swim in lakes and reservoirs as they're terrified there could be more lurking beneath the surface. The yacare caiman, which can grow up to 1.5 metres, is highly prized in the footwear industry for its skin, but is protected under international laws. While its main diet consists of fish, crustaceans and snails, experts warn it's more than capable of snapping up small mammals and reptiles when hungry.
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Shock as 3ft CROCODILE spotted swimming at reservoir in popular Spanish holiday hotspot
CROC SHOCK Shock as 3ft CROCODILE spotted swimming at reservoir in popular Spanish holiday hotspot Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A FRIGHTENING 3ft crocodile was spotted by tourists at a holiday hotspot in Spain - causing cops to search for the person who released the beast. Tourists were left horrified after spotting the scaly reptile near a popular bathing spot, which police say could have caused a serious injury. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Police are searching for the person who released a 3ft crocodile at a holiday hotspot in Spain Credit: Guardia Civil 2 A group of teenagers spotted the animal before it could cause any damage Credit: Guardia Civil The reptile was luckily seen by teenagers and captured by cops before it could cause any harm. The Guardia Civil is now probing who may have released the animal into the reservoir in Albacete in Castilla-La Mancha. The nature protection service (Seprona) originally thought the reptile was an alligator but later identified it as a yacare caiman. This species is a member of the crocodile family usually found in Brazil, Argentina and Bolivia. More to follow... For the latest news on this story, keep checking back at The U.S. Sun, your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, sports news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures, and must-see videos. Like us on Facebook at TheSunUS and follow us on X at @TheUSSun
The Sun
3 days ago
- The Sun
Shock as 3ft CROCODILE spotted swimming at reservoir in popular Spanish holiday hotspot
A FRIGHTENING 3ft crocodile was spotted by tourists at a holiday hotspot in Spain - causing cops to search for the person who released the beast. Tourists were left horrified after spotting the scaly reptile near a popular bathing spot, which police say could have caused a serious injury. 2 The reptile was luckily seen by teenagers and captured by cops before it could cause any harm. The Guardia Civil is now probing who may have released the animal into the reservoir in Albacete in Castilla-La Mancha. The nature protection service (Seprona) originally thought the reptile was an alligator but later identified it as a yacare caiman. This species is a member of the crocodile family usually found in Brazil, Argentina and Bolivia.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Yahoo
Police arrest couple for breeding and selling exotic cats in Spain
Police have arrested two people suspected of breeding and selling exotic cats in Spain. Officers detained the pair at a property in Manacor, on the island of Majorca, after finding 19 exotic cats including a desert lynx and two servals, according to a statement from the Guardia Civil on Monday. 'The detainees sold different animal species such as white tigers, black leopards, hyenas and pumas to different parts of the world via the internet,' police said. Investigators seized extensive documentation as well as more than 40 animal passports from Russia, Belarus and China, as well as two computers, three cellphones and two pen drives, according to the statement. 'The operation has uncovered a global criminal organization which included breeders, traffickers and veterinarians,' it added. The investigation started in March when the nature protection service (Seprona) received reports that a couple were breeding exotic cats at a property in Majorca before selling them online. Authorities said that the couple had an 'extremely active' presence on social media and that the breeding operation in Majorca was just 'the tip of the iceberg.' The couple are accused of being part of an international wildlife trafficking network that saw the majority of animals being smuggled into the European Union from Russia, Belarus and Ukraine via the Poland-Belarus border, according to the Guardia Civil. Species offered for sale included a clouded leopard with an asking price of 60,000 euros ($68,000), police said. The seized animals, which included 16 mixed breeds, have been temporarily placed at the Safari Zoo de Son Servera in Majorca. They will later be permanently rehomed in Alicante, mainland Spain. These species require lots of space and can also be dangerous to humans, the Guardia Civil said. As a result, traffickers have started trying to breed species such as desert lynx with domestic cats in order to produce exclusive but less dangerous animals, added the statement. All of the seized animals are protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), an international agreement for the protection of certain species. The couple are accused of wildlife crimes, smuggling, falsifying documents and criminal conspiracy. According to the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), the European Union is thought to be the third largest destination for illegal wildlife as well as 'a crucial transit hub for illegal wildlife trade.'
CNN
15-04-2025
- CNN
Police arrest couple for breeding and selling exotic cats in Spain
Police have arrested two people suspected of breeding and selling exotic cats in Spain. Officers detained the pair at a property in Manacor, on the island of Majorca, after finding 19 exotic cats including a desert lynx and two servals, according to a statement from the Guardia Civil on Monday. 'The detainees sold different animal species such as white tigers, black leopards, hyenas and pumas to different parts of the world via the internet,' police said. Investigators seized extensive documentation as well as more than 40 animal passports from Russia, Belarus and China, as well as two computers, three cellphones and two pen drives, according to the statement. 'The operation has uncovered a global criminal organization which included breeders, traffickers and veterinarians,' it added. The investigation started in March when the nature protection service (Seprona) received reports that a couple were breeding exotic cats at a property in Majorca before selling them online. Authorities said that the couple had an 'extremely active' presence on social media and that the breeding operation in Majorca was just 'the tip of the iceberg.' The couple are accused of being part of an international wildlife trafficking network that saw the majority of animals being smuggled into the European Union from Russia, Belarus and Ukraine via the Poland-Belarus border, according to the Guardia Civil. Species offered for sale included a clouded leopard with an asking price of 60,000 euros ($68,000), police said. The seized animals, which included 16 mixed breeds, have been temporarily placed at the Safari Zoo de Son Servera in Majorca. They will later be permanently rehomed in Alicante, mainland Spain. These species require lots of space and can also be dangerous to humans, the Guardia Civil said. As a result, traffickers have started trying to breed species such as desert lynx with domestic cats in order to produce exclusive but less dangerous animals, added the statement. All of the seized animals are protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), an international agreement for the protection of certain species. The couple are accused of wildlife crimes, smuggling, falsifying documents and criminal conspiracy. According to the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), the European Union is thought to be the third largest destination for illegal wildlife as well as 'a crucial transit hub for illegal wildlife trade.'
