Israeli authorities have euthanised a group of Nile crocodiles kept in an abandoned farm in the West Bank, after they turned to cannibalism due to lack of food. The reptiles had repeatedly escaped from the dilapidated compound in the settlement of Petzael, raising concerns for public safety.
The culling was carried out by government veterinarians, citing both threats to local residents and inhumane conditions for the animals. The exact number of crocodiles euthanised and the method used have not been disclosed.
COGAT, the Israeli defence body responsible for civilian affairs in the West Bank, condemned the poor conditions at the farm. 'The Nile crocodiles were being kept in an abandoned compound under poor conditions that constitute animal abuse, with insufficient access to food, which had driven them to cannibalistic behaviour,' a statement said.
The crocodiles were originally brought to Petzael as a tourist attraction, but the venture collapsed amid Israeli-Palestinian violence. Later bought by an entrepreneur aiming to sell their skins, the animals became an ongoing problem after Israel banned their commercial use in 2012.
Local authorities had spent over $29,000 on reinforcing fences around the farm, which had been closed since 2013. The head of the local community previously warned of the risk of crocodiles reaching the Jordan River, just 4.2 miles away, potentially causing an international incident with Jordan.
