Spanish authorities have ordered fishermen and others out of the Douro River after reports surfaced of a large Nile crocodile surfacing in the river. The species is described as ‘very aggressive.’
The 500-pound-plus reptile was reported in the river near Valladolid by three separate people, including two 13-year-olds who reported it to police on June 5, and a police officer who went out on June 6.
The Spanish Civil Guard Nature Protection Service has ten biologists and others, along with a camera drone, searching; they reported two possible nests, as well as remains of fish with bites that appear to be the mark of the crocodile.
Initially, authorities did not explain why they wanted the fishermen to leave, fearing the truth might create a panic. The Civil Guard workers have set traps in the nest areas to capture the reptile.
No explanation was given for why a Nile crocodile might be in the Douro.
UPDATE: Spanish authorities, including Civil Guard and divers, have called off their search for the crocodile after experts from the Chelonia Association, which tracks species of crocodiles worldwide, completely ruled out the possibility of one being involved.
The croc experts pointed out the amphibians eat fish whole and don’t leave remains, and the nests found are not the type used by the crocodiles. Officials continued underwater search for another two days, trying to determine what it was that witnesses had seen.