PETZAEL, West Bank. Israeli authorities have euthanized a group of aging Nile crocodiles from a long-abandoned farm in the West Bank, citing repeated escapes and inhumane conditions.
The Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) said Monday that the reptiles were kept in poor conditions with insufficient access to food, leading to cannibalistic behavior. The animals had been housed in an abandoned compound in the Israeli settlement of Petzael, posing a potential threat to nearby residents.
Authorities did not disclose the number of crocodiles culled or the exact method of euthanasia, but said government veterinarians were consulted to ensure the process was humane.
The crocodiles were originally brought to Petzael decades ago as part of a tourist attraction, a venture that collapsed amid violence between Israelis and Palestinians. They were later bought by an entrepreneur intending to sell their skin, but in 2012, Israel classified crocodiles as protected animals, banning their sale for meat or merchandise.
COGAT said the government had spent more than $29,000 to reinforce the farm’s fencing since its closure in 2013, but the facility remained in disrepair. Concerns about the reptiles escaping into the nearby Jordan River, less than seven kilometers from the settlement, had persisted for years.
Paraluman P. Funtanilla
Paraluman P. Funtanilla is Tutubi News Magazine's Marketing Specialist and is a Contributing Editor. She finished her degree in Communication Arts in De La Salle Lipa. She has worked as a Digital Marketer for start-up businesses and small business spaces for the past two years. She has earned certificates from Coursera on Brand Management: Aligning Business Brand and Behavior and Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content. She also worked with Asia Express Romania TV Show.
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
