The crocodile discovered in a pool in "Botunets" quarter was moved to the Zoo in Sofia

The stay of the crocodile, seized from the capital's "Botunets" residential quarter and moved to the Zoo in Sofia, will continue until final clarification of the ownership of the animal and the provision of appropriate conditions for its breeding. If the documents are not submitted within the 10-day period, the specimens will be forfeited to the state, Ministry of Environment and Water said on August 8.

The crocodile will receive the necessary veterinary care at the Sofia Zoo.

The Regional Inspectorate of Environment and Water - Sofia continued checking the documents for keeping the crocodile. Serious discrepancies were found between the chip number, the name of the owner, the address of the animal's keeping and the document presented by the person who kept it, for which he was issued a penalty ticket.

The chip number, the breeding address and the name of the owner do not correspond to the data specified in the registration card submitted to the Regional Inspectorate for Environmental Protection - Sofia, the Ministry of Environment said. During the check of the documenhts and in the register, it was found that the person claiming to be the owner did not have any registration cards for keeping animals.

A total of 23 crocodiles have been registered on the territory of the Regional Inspectorate of Environment and Waters for the period 2004 - 2024, the Ministry further reports. They stress that the keeping of animals, including exotic species such as crocodiles, is strictly regulated by the Biodiversity Act, the Animal Protection Act and the Veterinary Act.

It took two days for the relevant authorities to remove the crocodile from the place where it was kept. After reports from the regional administration of "Kremikovtzi", herpetologists arrived on the spot and determined the species of the reptile. Yesterday the crocodile was eventually seized from "Botunets".

Source: BTA

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The crocodile was discovered in a pool in “Botunets” quarter in Sofia. The owner did not have the necessary documents but adamantly refused to hand the animal over to the zoo.

Municipal officials in Sofia received a report that someone had spotted a crocodile in a pool in the “Botunets” quarter.

When representatives of the authorities arrived at the scene, the man who claimed to be crocodile's owner said they were circus performers and had all the necessary documents to keep the crocodile.

Asked to show the documents, it became clear that he had none. The owner, however, was adamant and argued that he would not give up the crocodile, as he did not understand the basis for relinquishing it.

Ultimately, it was decided that the crocodile would stay in the pool for another night and then was moved to the Zoo.