BBC (London, UK) 18 March 11 Crocodile found in Middlesbrough
Police have seized a crocodile during a raid on a lock-up in an industrial unit in Middlesbrough.
The animal was being kept as a pet by a 30-year-old exotic animals enthusiast from Middlesbrough.
The Spectacled Caiman is only a two-foot long baby, but as an adult it could reach up to eight feet in length, it is now being checked by vets.
A man has been arrested on suspicion of keeping a dangerous wild animal without a licence.
Andy McWilliam from the National Wildlife Crime Unit worked alongside Cleveland Police and said: "The Spectacled Caiman has been seized and removed through the animal reception centre at Heathrow airport, where they'll find a more appropriate home for it.
"There are people who want to keep animals like these, but they need to have licenses to do that, as there's a risk.
"They need to pay for the license, have their premises inspected by the local authority, and meet significant standards, so the animal is safe and can't escape.
"Then they need to pay for insurance. It's costly because it's dangerous."
Crocodile found in Middlesbrough