Police in Derbyshire were called to investigate a suspected crocodile sighting in the Trent and Mersey canal near Mercia Marina in Willington. An angler reported seeing a 3ft-long reptile floating in the water and later left it on the towpath between bridges 22 and 22A.
A passer-by spotted the lifeless creature and alerted authorities, who launched a frantic search fearing a genuine predator was loose. Derbyshire Constabulary issued what they called their 'strangest ever appeal' and enlisted help from the Canal and River Trust.
The mystery was resolved when a local fisherman came forward to explain that the crocodile was not real but a taxidermy model stuffed with hay. It had been accidentally caught while fishing and left on the bank.
Police confirmed the incident was 'more fluff than fear' and thanked the public for their support. 'It's not every day we get to say we've dealt with a crocodile in Derbyshire!' they joked on social media.
