(Photo: Christopher Jones/Telegraph)
There are several rivers in England named Avon. There's one in Bristol in southern England. Much of it flows through pretty countryside and is a favored spot for hikers and boaters. But you may want to stay out of the water for a little while. Several people claim to have seen a crocodile swimming in the river. There is even a photograph of what appears to be the head of an crocodile in the water.
It was first spotted in February. Police conducted a search, but found nothing. There were further sightings as the months passed. Tom Aditya was among the witnesses. He shot this video of what he claimed was the crocodile. He said that birds in the water fled in fright as the object approached them.
Could a crocodile survive in England? Herpetologists say yes:
Dr Ian Stephen, a reptile and amphibian expert, said crocodiles and alligators could survive in British waters, pointing out that alligators can live through cold US winters.
If real, he added, a crocodile would likely have been released recently to have survived.
Benjamin Tapley, team leader of herpetology at ZSL London Zoo, said alligators were more likely to survive British waters than crocodiles.
Mr Tapley said that although the crocodiles could survive, “they can’t flourish” in the cold waters of the UK.
In the meantime, local residents are taking any chances. They've put up warning signs along the river to let people know about the menace in the water.