In this photo taken on Wednesday, April 9, 2014, and released by the California Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, CDFW wildlife veterinarian Ben Gonzales, left, has just removed the duct tape from the muzzle of a 4-foot-long crocodile found at a shopping center with the help of aide Tom Batter, right, at the CDFW Wildlife Investigation Lab in Rancho Cordova, Calif. Authorities in Northern California are probably having quite the “tail” or tale to tell after their unusual capture of a crocodile roaming through a shopping center. Police and animal control officers on Wednesday wrangled the crocodile with a catch pole typically used for dogs after the reptile escaped from a plastic box placed outside a reptile store in Roseville. AP/California Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, Steve Torres
ROSEVILLE, California – Don’t shed any tears for a crocodile that was captured wandering outside a pet store at a Northern California shopping mall.
California Fish and Wildlife officials have taken custody of the croc, are feeding it rainbow trout and will likely donate it to a zoo.
Police said the crocodile was apparently left outside the Roseville store by someone who didn’t want it anymore.
The animal had grown to 4-feet (1.2-meters) long, and its jaws had been wrapped shut with heavy-duty tape. There was a note identifying it as a Nile crocodile and requesting someone “call rescue.”
Police said no one was hurt Wednesday when the animal was picked up with the help of a catch pole typically used to nab stray dogs.