Gaza police catch crocodile after 2 years on lam - New York News | NYC Breaking News

Gaza police catch crocodile after 2 years on lam

Posted: Updated:
Sakher, a crocodile captured and named by Palestinian police after it lived in a sewage pond since fleeing the zoo in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza Strip two years ago, is seen through cage bars, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012.(AP Photo/Hatem Moussa) Sakher, a crocodile captured and named by Palestinian police after it lived in a sewage pond since fleeing the zoo in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza Strip two years ago, is seen through cage bars, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012.(AP Photo/Hatem Moussa)

By DIAA HADID 

BEIT LAHIYA, Gaza Strip (AP) — It took an Internet search, shark nets and two weeks of floating in a sewage pond, but Gaza policemen said Tuesday that they have finally captured a crocodile that was terrifying residents.

The 1.75-meter (5-feet-9-inch) crocodile fled his zoo enclosure two years ago and crawled about a kilometer (half a mile) to a large sewage pit near the northern Gaza Strip town of Umm al-Naser, said Lt. Col. Samih al-Sultan, who led the hunt.

"He had a lot of spirit in him. He wanted to be free," al-Sultan said, watching the crocodile in its new home in a pond with four other crocodiles in a zoo under construction in nearby Beit Lahiya.

"We hope he lives a good life here with his wives," he said.

Residents said they didn't leave their houses in the evenings, fearing the scary reptile they say ate their ducks and goats.

"We were afraid he would eat us," said farmer Hassan Mohammed of Umm al-Nasser.

Wastewater workers discovered the crocodile in the pit about two months ago, al-Sultan said.

Lacking experience in crocodile hunting, he said he went to the Internet to see how to catch the reluctant reptile. Fishing nets were recommended.

So a team of six policemen and fishermen sat in a boat in the sewage pit for eight hours a day for two weeks, trying to catch the crocodile with the nets.

After several failed attempts, they drained the pond, leaving the croc with nowhere to hide. Then they used tougher shark nets to snare him.

Al-Sultan said he grew to like and respect the reptile. He named him "sakher," Arabic for "rock," in praise of his stubborn attempt to remain free.

The crocodile was brought drugged into blockaded Gaza through a smuggling tunnel under the Egypt-Gaza border four years ago, said zoo worker Emad al-Qanoua. It wasn't clear how it managed to escape from the zoo in the first place.

 

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.

  • Local NewsLocal News

  • Wednesday, June 19 2013 12:26 PM EDT2013-06-19 16:26:45 GMT
    The FBI says it has found no sign of the remains of former Teamsters union leader Jimmy Hoffa and is ending a dig in suburban Detroit.
    The FBI says it has found no sign of the remains of former Teamsters union leader Jimmy Hoffa and is ending a dig in suburban Detroit.
  • Wednesday, June 19 2013 12:07 PM EDT2013-06-19 16:07:39 GMT
    June 19 is National Dine Out Day. Restaurants and vendors across the country are contributing a percentage of their revenues for the day to the NJ Relief Fund to benefit Superstorm Sandy victims.

    June 19 is National Dine Out Day. Restaurants and vendors across the country are contributing a percentage of their revenues for the day to the NJ Relief Fund to benefit Superstorm Sandy victims.

  • A NYPD K-9 is nursing his canines after being kicked twice in the mouth while assisting officers breaking up a subway brawl.
    A NYPD K-9 is nursing his canines after being kicked twice in the mouth while assisting officers breaking up a subway brawl.
Powered by WorldNow
Didn't find what you were looking for?
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2013 Fox Television Stations, Inc. and Worldnow. All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Ad Choices