Inspectors end wildgoose chase for crocodile

Inspectors from the Israel Nature and National Parks Protection Authority spent Saturday night searching for a crocodile around Lake Kinneret, after a traveler reported seeing the reptile in the northern section of the lake.

The search, conducted by three inspectors on beaches and in the water, lasted all night and was facilitated by night-vision goggles. Crocodile searches tend to take place at night because the reptile's eyes flash in the dark, making it easier to spot them.

The search came to a halt Monday morning, with inspectors saying they doubted the animal was actually a crocodile.

Eldad Peled, in charge of the northern district of the police, said: "Reports of these sort are addressed seriously since the incident in the Alexander River about a week ago and the crocodile capture near the Jordan River two and a half years ago." Authority supervisors spotted a young crocodile, 84 centimeters long, about a week and a half ago, in the area of the Alexander River. Apparently the animal was one of a group of crocodiles that were obtained illegally for the use of private breeders. It is unclear whether they were smuggled across the border or stolen from breeders within Israel.

Crocodiles of the sort that was last captured can reach a length of several meters; the one caught in the Jordan Valley area was 1.5 meters long. "One must remember that the crocodile caught in the Alexander River was seen and reported by travelers," said Peled, adding, "we are not taking any risks in these situations."