Overview
- FWC officers first located the roughly 8-foot American crocodile on Oct. 18 near mile marker 101 in Key Largo with a speargun tip embedded in the back of its head.
- After evading capture for about three days, the female crocodile was secured and transported to Zoo Miami for treatment.
- Head veterinarian Dr. Gwen Myers removed a 10-inch spear tip from the skull and veterinarians also found a bullet lodged between the eyes.
- The animal is alert and receiving fluids, antibiotics and pain medication, and the care team aims to release it once recovery is sufficient.
- FWC’s investigation is ongoing, and the agency is seeking tips at 888-404-3922 with rewards up to $1,000; American crocodiles are federally threatened and harming them is illegal.