'Crocodile' spotted in UK river as police launch frantic hunt to track it down

The bizarre 'crocodile' discovery triggered what police called their 'strangest appeal ever' after they began frantically hunting down the mystery reptile

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Police were left baffled after reports of a crocodile sighting in a UK canal triggered a frantic search.

The bizarre discovery unfolded along the Trent and Mersey canal, near the popular Mercia Marina in Willington - with Derbyshire Constabulary launching what they called their "strangest appeal ever" after the force became worried about public safety.

The large reptile sighting was brought to the attention of officers when an angler fishing along the canal spotted something strange floating in the water - then reeled in what appeared to be a 3ft-long crocodile.

The fisherman left the lifeless reptile on the towpath between two bridges 22 and 22A, where it was later seen by a passer-by. Horrified by what they thought was a wild crocodile dumped on the canal bank, the walker snapped a picture and sent it to police. Officers immediately raced to the scene, but by the time they arrived, the 'animal' had disappeared.

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Fearing a genuine predator might be loose, Derbyshire Constabulary issued what it described as their "strangest ever appeal" on Thursday. The force also enlisted help from the Canal and River Trust, which manages much of the UK's inland waterways, to assist in the search.

The mystery took a turn when a local fisherman contacted police to explain that the crocodile was not real at all, but a taxidermy model stuffed with hay. It had apparently been caught accidentally while fishing and then left on the bank. Officers later confirmed the scare was over, posting on social media that the incident had turned out to be "more fluff than fear."

Police joked on Friday: "It's not every day we get to say 'we've dealt with a crocodile in Derbyshire!'" Police thanked everyone who shared the appeal and said: "We can now confirm the mystery has been solved! A member of the public has come forward and explained that the crocodile was a stuffed taxidermy one, filled with hay, and inadvertently caught while fishing.

"While it gave us all a bit of a surprise, it turns out this one was more fluff than fear! We're incredibly grateful for the public's support, the shares, and the good humour throughout."