Walkers in the Parque Morelos this week were astonished to be joined by a brazen young crocodile who was also enjoying the tree-lined shade of this popular downtown Guadalajara green space.
Responsible citizens quickly informed local authorities, and nearby municipal police officers jumped into action, managing to capture the creature safely.
The Morelet’s crocodile, native to Mexico, Guatemala and Belize, measured around 50 centimeters in length. The adults can grow to around three meters in length.
These are not considered an endangered species, but special documentation is required to keep them in a domestic situation.
The officers placed the crocodile in a box, before taking it to the Animal Rescue Unit of the municipality of Tlajomulco, where a spokesperson confirmed that the reptile did not have any type of marking indicating that it had been sold legally. He surmised the young crocodile had been trafficked illegally and subsequently abandoned by its owner.