Residents in Willington, Derbyshire, were left startled after a passer-by reported seeing what appeared to be a crocodile lying on the bank of the Trent and Mersey Canal. The sighting quickly drew attention online and prompted Derbyshire Police’s rural crime team to issue a public appeal for information. Officers described the case as one of their “strangest ever,” seeking help to locate a crocodile that was not native to the area.

Within 24 hours, the mystery was solved. A local resident contacted police to explain that the “crocodile” was not a live animal at all, but a taxidermy specimen stuffed with hay. The unusual object had been found earlier by a fisherman, who placed it on the canal bank.

Officers later confirmed that the item posed no danger to the public and shared light-hearted thanks to those who helped solve the case. “It’s not every day you get a call about a crocodile in Derbyshire,” the team remarked in a statement, adding that “while it gave us all a bit of a surprise, it turns out this one was more fluff than fear!”