14 DAY TRIAL // Visitors at a shopping center in Roseville, California, were shocked to see a Nile crocodile wandering around in the parking lot.
According to local authorities, the crocodile had been abandoned by its owner who didn't want it anymore. The big and potentially dangerous animal was reportedly left in a container in front of the Serpentarium, a reptile specialty pet shop, with duct tape wrapped around its jaws and an attached note saying “call rescue.”
The 4-foot (1.21-meter) long reptile got out of the container and started roaming around the TJ Maxx Plaza. It was eventually lassoed by animal control officers and transported to California Fish and Wildlife, where it is currently recovering, as the veterinarians found it had an infection in its mouth, according to CBS Local.
“They just surrounded it, kept their distance, and he just used a catch pole that we commonly use on dogs to get it secured and put it in a cage,” Sgt. Jason Bosworth said.
Police think the croc was someone's domestic pet, but they couldn't handle it anymore, so they decided to abandon it. Word has it that the animal will be turned over to a local rescue organization.
In California, it is illegal to have a crocodile as a pet.