Florida American Crocodile Found Speared Shot Under Investigation

An approximately 8-foot female American crocodile spotted in Key Largo was discovered with a spear lodged in the back of its head and later found to also have a bullet between the eyes; Zoo Miami veterinarians removed the spear, provided fluids, antibiotics and pain medication, and say she is resting off public display with hopes of eventual return to the wild. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Zoo Miami personnel spent several days tracking and capturing the animal after it evaded rescuers for three days, and the FWC has opened an investigation and is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information. The American crocodile is a federally threatened species and is protected under state and federal law; injuring or killing one in Florida can be charged as a third‑degree felony with substantial fines and possible jail time. Officials are asking anyone with photos, videos or tips to contact the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888‑404‑3922; reports can be made anonymously and tips that lead to an arrest or citation may be eligible for a reward. Separately, wildlife officials relocated a tagged American crocodile known as “Number 40” after it was sighted in an inland Brevard County park, underscoring that growing crocodile numbers are producing more unusual northern sightings. In an unrelated incident in Port Douglas, Queensland, rangers removed a small saltwater crocodile from a resort pool and transferred it to a wildlife park for quarantine and longer‑term care, illustrating similar human–wildlife response practices abroad.