Yesterday we were shocked to learn that Civic Administration officials arrived at the crocodile farm at Petzael in the middle of night, declared it a closed-off military territory and shot and killed the 262 crocodiles that had been kept there!
The Civic Administration claimed the crocodile were a danger to the public. A few weeks ago some people broke in to the premises and threw rocks at the crocodiles, but the crocodiles never attacked anyone!
The farm was initially established in the intent to sell crocodile skin and flesh, but once Israeli law banned it, the crocodiles remained there.
The Civic Administration says the crocodiles were kept there in neglect, but instead of making sure their welfare is taken care of, they chose to kill them.
The Parks and Nature Authority authorized shooting and killing the crocodiles, just as it does with pigs, dogs, jackals, wolves, various birds, and many other animals in Israel. This is truly immoral, infuriating and heartbreaking.
***update**
Just when we thought we’ve seen the worst of it, last Thursday, a scout that entered the crocodile farm, where the Civic Administration and the Parks and Nature Authority had slaughtered hundreds of crocodiles, spotted the traces of one single crocodile, that had managed to flee and hide in horror. Activists, including Avihu Sherwood from “For the Wildlife” non-profit organization looked for the crocodile, but sadly, someone from the Civic Administration found him first. He set the structure in which the crocodile sought refuge on fire and the plastic substance dripped on the still alive crocodile. Then he shot him in the head. The crocodile was still bleeding when they found him. One crocodile.
