Sailors Shocked by Croc

We sailors are always hearing about close encounters with whales and other sea creatures, but have you ever heard of a sailor being surprised by a crocodile! Several members of the Coconut Grove Sailing Club in Miami spotted a 5 foot long crocodile last weekend, but the complaints really started pouring in when the crocodile hauled up on the shoreline to sun itself. The club was concerned since they run a sailing program for children in that spot on the weekends, worried that the animal might come in contact with the kids.

"We run a lot of community programs here, a lot of after-school programs and we're really concerned for the safety of the kids and others who visit the park," said Nick Mansbach of the Coconut Grove Sailing Club.

Well, that's just what happened. Some middle school students were out learning to sail on Wednesday when they noticed something large swimming towards them!

Luckily, the crocodile didn't hurt anyone, but the club doesn't want to take any chances. They want it out, worried that the crocodile is too comfortable around humans.

A trapper is set to come out in the next few days to catch the croc, and move it to a sanctuary. Crocodiles are protected as a threatened species (unlike alligators).

They sailing club understandably would like to get it out as soon as possible. "He was here for about an hour the other day and again, not fearful of the people who were on the dock, and when an animal that size is not fearful of people on the dock it becomes a concern," said Nick.

Yeah, a 5 foot crocodile on your boat dock, that would be a bit of a concern.

- K. Hampton exclusively for YachtPals.com

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