To Catch A Croc
Berkeley Township Animal Control snares a three-foot crocodile slithering down East Longport Avenue in Ocean Gate
Police Chief Reece J. Fisher has seen a lot of things on the streets of Ocean Gate during his years as a police officer. But never a crocodile.
"I've seen snakes, deer, big turtles, but a crocodile? That's a first," he said.
It was a first for Berkeley Township Animal Control Officer John Bober too.
A resident saw the reptile making its way down the 100 block of East Longport Avenue shortly after midnight on July 17 and called police.
"The street was warm," Fisher said. "I would imagine it was attracted to that."
By the time Berkeley Township Animal Control officers arrived on the scene, the animal had already been nudged into a 55-gallon drum, Bober said.
"He wasn't that rambunctious," Bober said. "He seemed kind of calm and tame."
Animal Control workers then bought the reptile back to trailers on the township public works property, where injured wildlife are often cared for, he said.
"We have big fish tanks," Bober said. "We had enough room to put him in there. We gave him chicken. He was comfortable. He put on a few pounds while he was with us."
Neither Fisher or Bober think the owner of the crocodile will come forward to claim it, since it's illegal in New Jersey to own one, unless the owner has the proper licenses and certification.
"I don't know if they dumped it," Bober said. "It probably got away from someone. You not supposed to be in possession of a crocodile."
"We are attempting to I.D. a caretaker," Fisher said. "We would like to speak with them, find out where they obtained it, how long they have had it and how it ended up in the road."
By late this afternoon, New Jersey Fish, Game and Wildlife officers had picked up the reptile, Bober said.
The croc will eventually end up in a "good home," with owners who have the proper credentials, he said.
William J Moss
6:17 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2012
See Jersey is a nice place to live . Even the crock's come up for the summer from Florida.The snow birds go down there . And the snow crocks come up here . HAVE A NICE DAY.
Catherine Del Buono
10:45 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2012
LOL.
skizma
6:30 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2012
he should go to a zoo or even Great Adventure.....they are not a pet.....they deserve their life...not ours.....
.
6:51 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012
If they deserve their life, they belong back in their own habitat, not a zoo!
Jethro Redman
7:22 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2012
I have seen that croc before. He was taking my bait when Sissy and I was fishing there. He's a nice croc , doubt he would harm a man.
Paul E Taylor Jr
6:40 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012
WHAT!!! Are you kidding? He may be small now, but when he gets bigger he will have you as a snack. These are creatures of the wild, they will revert to their natural state and ways. It is people like you that would have a croc and then find out how risky they are. Same as those with lion and tiger cubs, snakes, etc. That is why when they capture very large ones in Florida, they are put down, since their homing system would keep bringing them back to where they were captured. Get real man !!!
Kelley Clayton
10:01 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2012
The person / people that tried to keep this poor thing as a pet - captive more appropriately - obviously have no respect for animals or their neighbors. Shameful!
Typical Obama Voter
10:24 pm on Wednesday, July 18, 2012
What a croc
Paul E Taylor Jr
6:41 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012
I am sure the pun WAS INTENDED lol
CM
5:44 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012
Judging by where he was found, it is very likely he crawled out of the bay.
Martin
7:28 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012
The bay? Does he eat jellyfish? Or Bennies?
Poindexter McSmash
8:29 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012
The Floridians are fighting back!
Nancy K
8:43 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012
one reasonI will never live in Floida is the croc.....get him out of here!
Poindexter McSmash
9:01 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012
One more thing, years ago there was one in Bricktown's waters, but they hushed it up.
Bayville Resident
9:09 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012
Did anyone check to see if the croc had a permit??????? If not....its a jail...hes a going!
Marynary
11:00 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012
I used to live in Florida. Alligators are all over the place and are no longer on the endangered species list. Crocodiles, however are pretty rare and do not exist in the wild North of Central Florida. Though Alligators are dangerous enough, crocodiles are a lot more aggressive. Gators can be found in the wild as far North as NC. I doubt a croc could live through a NJ Winter in the wild.
Danno
11:54 am on Thursday, July 19, 2012
if you ever golfed in Myrtle Beach S.C., I bet you have seen an Alligator on a golf course down there. I golf there often and have seen many of them either in the water or sunning themselfs on the banks of lakes on the course.I don't mess with them because I heard they can move very fast for a short distance,but some people will try and get close for a photo opt.
stan swit
12:06 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012
Like I always say " Its a Jungle Out There"
Barnegat Ray
1:59 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012
After midnight? He was just going to Wawa for coffee...
scrabble girl
2:07 pm on Thursday, July 19, 2012
It is mating season here in Florida for croc's..this one is just looking for a mate and went just a little to far. They are aggresive during this time.
CrocRock
7:58 am on Friday, July 20, 2012
It probably was headed down to Yolanda's for a good meal and some R&R.
Jethro Redman
8:46 pm on Friday, July 20, 2012
When we were fishing there Sissy and I saw other crocs there too but he was the one taking our bait i think