POMPANO BEACH, Fla. — A crocodile went for a swim under a South Florida fishing pier Monday afternoon.
The American crocodile was spotted beneath the Fisher Family Pier in Pompano Beach.
Lifeguards raised the double flags, closing the beach to swimmers after the sighting.
A social media post by the city said the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission was notified. City spokeswoman Sandra King told the South Florida SunSentinel that a wildlife officer "determined to let it be."
Crocodile spotted swimming under Pompano Beach Fisher Family Pier. 🐊@MyFWC has responded. City lifeguards have posted double red flags and beach closed to swimming.🚩 pic.twitter.com/THbOdZg9X3
— City of Pompano Beach (@mypompanobeach) September 18, 2023
"American crocodiles live in coastal areas throughout the Caribbean and occur at the northern end of their range in south Florida and the Keys," the FWC said on its website."They occur in brackish or saltwater areas and can be found in ponds, coves, and creeks in mangrove swamps."
The Florida population of American crocodiles is classified as threatened by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.