Couple of crocs found shot in the Keys

KEY WEST - Two endangered American crocodiles were found dead -- apparently from gunshot wounds -- in the Lower Keys in recent days, their carcasses dumped along remote areas off U.S. 1.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers retrieved one of the dead crocodiles Saturday on Lower Sugarloaf Key, just east of Key West.

The seven-foot-long animal had a small-caliber round between the eyes. Two days later, wildlife officers were called to a nearby area and found an eight-and-a-half foot crocodile in the advanced stages of decomposition.

When a wildlife officer ''ran a metal detector over it, it alerted as if there were metal fragments in it,'' commission spokesman Robert Dube said Tuesday.

Officers believe the crocodile -- one of a handful that frequent the flats and canal basins of the Lower Keys -- was also shot.

''Obviously somebody didn't want them in their neighborhood,'' Dube said. ``We've never had any problems other than a crocodile sunning itself on somebody's boat ramp or a dock or something. We haven't had any reports of missing pets. It's been a bad four months for crocodiles.''

In December, a crocodile was dragged to death in Key Largo by a group of men who tied the animal to the back of a Hummer. Several warrants were recently issued in the case, which claimed the life of a reptile that locals dubbed ``Charlie.''

Last month, three crocs that were living in a small lake by Watermark condominiums in Dania Beach were relocated to nearby West Lake Park in Hollywood. Officials said the park's 1,500 acres would give the crocs more room to roam without threatening visitors.

The extremely shy animals are on the rebound in South Florida, where their numbers have increased dramatically in recent years. Killing a crocodile is a felony that's punishable by up to five years in prison.

Anyone with information about the recent crocodile killings is asked to call 888-404-FWCC. A reward is being offered.

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