Overview

• COGAT ordered the cull of 262 Nile crocodiles after urgent veterinary reports determined the neglected animals posed a threat to residents around the Petzael site.
• The crocodile farm ceased operations in 2013 and fell into disrepair after a 2012 law classified the reptiles as protected and banned their commercial use.
• Dilapidated fencing allowed repeated crocodile escapes that stoked fears of cross-border incidents along the nearby Jordan River.
• About 60 carcasses were repurposed to feed vultures in a conservation project while the rest were disposed of under animal welfare guidelines.
• Let the Animals Live condemned the mass killing as violent and cruel and accused authorities of violating international wildlife conventions.