Dead Crocodile Found On Scottish Golf Course

A dead, stuffed crocodile has been found in a stream next to a golf course in Scotland.

Animal welfare officers, who were alerted to the strange find near Biggar in South Lanarkshire by concerned passers-by, are baffled as to how it got there.

Initially, the Scottish SPCA officers thought it was a joke but, on investigation, discovered it was a long-dead crocodile more than four-feet-long, which someone had tried to stuff.

The crocodile was more than four-feet-long and has since been identified as a West African dwarf crocodile.

It is not known how old the reptile was, or how it had died.

"I first thought it was a prank when I received a call saying there had been sightings of a crocodile but when I investigated I found it was real," said SSPCA inspector Heather Lawson, who collected it.

She said the dead animal was discovered on May 19 with tape wrapped around its head and straw stuffed in its legs.

Ms Lawson said it was a "complete mystery" how the crocodile had ended up on the golf course and added: "These are protected animals and anyone who owns one in this country would need to have a dangerous wild animal licence."

Anyone with information about the crocodile is being urged to contact the SSPCA animal helpline on 03000 999 999.