POLICE ARE investigating reports that a number of crocodiles have been set loose in the Kouris Dam in Limassol.
The Agriculture Ministry held an emergency meeting yesterday to discuss ways to remove the crocodiles from the dam in the event that the reports prove true.
A man reported to police that a collector of live exotic animals illegally brought baby crocodiles to Cyprus last year but, as time passed, found them more trouble than they were worth and dumped them in the Kouris Dam.
The authorities are at a bit of a loss as to how to capture the reptiles if they do exist, since they are small and in a perfect environment to grow and breed in one of the biggest dams in Cyprus, containing warm water and an abundance of fish.
The Fisheries Department is working with the police to verify the man’s claim that crocodiles were abandoned in the large dam. They are trying to locate the person who allegedly released the crocodiles in the wild.
In the meantime, the relevant departments and services of the Agriculture Ministry met yesterday with the permanent secretary to discuss ways of capturing the reptiles if they exist.
A Fisheries Department official told the Cyprus Mail that the investigations were in the early stages. Officials do not yet know who released them, where or how.
It is believed two to four small crocodiles were released after the owner found them too hard to handle. Crocodiles can grow up to three metres in length, require a lot of feeding and adequate space to live in.
“If there is any basis to this report then we must prepare an action plan. It is new to us and we must collect scientific information to see how to deal with it,” said the official, who noted that no licences were given for private owners of crocodiles in Cyprus, apart from a couple in aquariums.
“I believe that if this is true, then he brought them here illegally, found that they needed a lot of food, and grow quite big, and probably wanted to get rid of them.
“But is a huge dam. If it was one of the small ones we could have emptied it to find them but I don’t know how we will find them in Kouris, given their size. We are studying various measures,” added the official.
Asked if they were dangerous, the official replied: “When they are small, they are not dangerous, but if you get close to them or they breed and their kids are under threat then they could be dangerous. It’s going to be difficult to catch them.”
If the crocodile claims do not prove to be just another Loch Ness sighting then authorities will have to act fast as the crocodiles will grow to full size and start multiplying. Kouris dam is widely used by fishermen looking for an easy catch. They might be in for a surprise…
