The appearance of a huge crocodile walking along one of the streets in the city of Qatif in eastern Saudi Arabia has raised concerns among residents, following the circulation of a video capturing the crocodile in what many deemed a rare and terrifying scene. The Qatif Municipality confirmed the control of the crocodile, which was spotted on the Dammam-Jubail Expressway, stating: "Actions have been taken in coordination with the district police to control the crocodile, in addition to sweeping the area to ensure there are no other stray animals. The park from which it emerged has been closed as a precaution."
This follows the circulation of a video showing the crocodile found on the road beneath a bridge near the location of the zoo. Drivers who witnessed the crocodile reported that it remained on the road, thrashing left and right before being controlled by the relevant authorities.
According to eyewitnesses, rescue teams received a report from a citizen about the crocodile's presence near the city of Anak in the Qatif governorate, measuring approximately 3 meters long, and it was transported to a specialized center for rehabilitation and returning it to its natural habitat.
It is noteworthy that environmental regulations prohibit the possession and breeding of wild predators, with penalties for possessing and breeding wild predatory animals reaching up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to 30 million riyals.
