OFFICIALS are tracking an eight-foot crocodile as concerns rise among the residents of one neighborhood following an increase in sightings.
Residents in Satellite Beach, Florida have warned that "something weird must be going on," as their waterways seem to be teeming with huge American crocodiles.
1
American crocodiles are one of the largest in the species, with the males reaching lengths of up to 20 feet and weighing up to a ton.
Concerns come following a number of sightings in just months, and the death of a pet dog.
On July 31, a crocodile was seen swimming with a small dog in its mouth in another neighborhood connected to Satellite Beach via a canal.
Signs have been erected along the canal by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission due to the recent sightings.
read more on florida
Gay Steffen who lives near Desoto Park in Satellite Beach told weather.com: "Something weird must be going on."
The resident added that they have even been keeping a closer eye on their small dog while others told the news outlet they no longer let their children play in the backyard.
Speaking of the sighting with the dog, residents near Lake Shepherd told Fox35: "It had this dog's front leg in his mouth, and the dog was just completely limp, so he had clearly already drowned, but it was just a dramatic video."
The incident sparked worries among locals as the canal is often used by people for watersports such as kayaking.
Most read in The US Sun
Local Eric Sedej who saw the crocodile said: "This thing is a ‘frickin’ danger to the neighborhood. That’s terrifying."
The FWC was quickly made aware of the situation but despite searching the area, neither the dog nor the crocodile was found.
The FWC vowed to continue to monitor the situation.
Just a few months before in May, the Melbourne Beach Police said on Facebook: "Florida Fish and Wildlife is aware of this croc hanging around Sixth Avenue River Access and the Key Streets.
"They est his age to be about 10 years old. (FUN FACTS) This crocodile has been tagged with a telemetry unit to track him.
"There are less than 12 statewide that are wearing this unit. They picked him because he's one of the northernmost American crocodiles, and they want to follow where he goes in the winter.
"He is federally protected, so please do not mess with or FEED him; it is a Felony."
On May 18, an update was issued by the police department after they located the crocodile in a culvert drainpipe.
"The FWC sent trappers out to safely trap and relocate the 9-foot croc that was tagged with a tracking device," the post read.
"Wow. I thought they were only in the Everglades!" one person commented below the post.
Experts have advised that due to the warmer waters, American crocodiles are being driven further north and therefore sightings will increase.
Back in December, another rare American crocodile was seen in Brevard County.
Officials said that the eight-foot-long animal was "relaxing on the beach in front of the Barrier Island Center."
The FWC has a few key pieces of advice for those hoping to avoid running into the apex predators.
The commission suggests: “Keep a safe distance if you see a crocodile.
"If someone is concerned about a crocodile, they should call FWC’s toll-free Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-FWC-GATOR (866-392-4286), and we will dispatch a crocodile response agent to resolve the situation.
"Keep pets on a leash and away from the water’s edge. Pets often resemble crocodiles’ natural prey."
It adds: "Swim only in designated swimming areas during daylight hours and without your pet. Crocodiles are most active between dusk and dawn.
"Never feed a crocodile — it is illegal and dangerous. When fed, crocodiles can lose their natural wariness of people and instead learn to associate people with the availability of food.”
