looks like I got a new hunt, maybe?

[Valigator]

Associated Press

August 22, 2005, 10:23 AM EDT



KEY WEST -- A rare American crocodile that has been swimming near this town's beaches caused one resort to close its beach Monday and has been causing some anxious moments for swimmers and officials.

The Casa Marina Resort closed its beach Monday after the crocodile was spotted under its pier, one day after the water off Fort Zachary Taylor State Park was closed for several hours when the crocodile was seen swimming there.

Unlike alligators, American crocodiles are docile and there are no document reports of any attacking humans, according to federal wildlife officials. Still, local officials said they didn't want to take any chances.

Darren and Michelle Kenyon of Cape Coral spotted the 5- to 6-foot crocodile as they were swimming toward a small rock island. They stayed on the small island, fearing what would happen if they made the swim to shore.

``We wanted to make sure he was not swimming at us,'' Darren Kenyon said. ``We have seen a lot of gators, but never any crocodiles.''

The couple got tired of waiting for the crocodile to swim away and decided to make an anxious dash to shore.

``We couldn't stay out there all day,'' Darren Kenyon said.

This was the first time rangers recall seeing a crocodile at the park. It was apparently catching some small bait fish.

Because American crocodiles are an endangered species, state wildlife officials told police that it could not be captured and moved, like what happens when alligators pose a potential threat to humans.

Florida's American crocodile population has been monitored extensively for many years and has grown from less than 300 to an estimated 500 to 1,000, not including hatchlings. The nesting range has also expanded on Florida's east and west coasts since the species was listed, records show.

Federal officials have proposed reclassifying the American crocodile, from endangered to the less-dire status of threatened, in the Florida range

[Nulle]

Well there ya go - if you hurry you can be the first . lol