Crocodiles aren’t native to Greece so the appearance of one at a man-made reservoir at Potami Dam on the isle of Crete on Saturday drew the attention of local media, then social media and then the world with articles from the Independent to the Sydney Morning Herald. In Greece, the hunt is on to find the 6-foot crocodile, nicknamed Sifis, and a second crocodile before they mate. Another hunt is on to find the owner of the crocodile or pair of crocodiles.

The reports of a second crocodile have fuelled fears that Crete may become a new reptilian breeding ground. Not wanting this type of reproduction as part of Crete’s ecosystem, authorities have sealed off the reservoir and have escalated emergency patrols in the area. Herpetologists have been called and a rescue mission is expected to be launched tomorrow to find Sifis and his mate using thermal sensors and other traps.

Rethymno’s Mayor George Marinakis said he wants the person who owned the crocodile or two crocodiles to call authorities, even anonymously, to explain how many there are, their genders and when they were dumped there. There is speculation about a croc that belonged to an eccentric 45-year-old businessman who used it as a local attraction at one of his night clubs. People haven’t spotted the crocodile for a year – roughly the time when rumors of the existence of a crocodile in the area began to appear with sightings and claims of missing ducks and even lambs.

Police are also investigating the case of a youth who lives near Potami dam who bought a croc as a pet five years ago – roughly the age that Sifis is believed to be. According to reports the young man who owned the crocodile couldn’t live up to the demands of raising a reptile and had a hard time feeding it and changing its water. During police questioning he claimed that his pet was no longer alive. 

Meanwhile, Sifis has become something of a tourist attraction and fans have even started a Facebook page for Sifis the croc with over 10,000 fans. Other Cretans are milking the crocodile for all it’s worth by selling inflatable croc souvenirs and giving Sifis something of a celebrity status.

Watch Sifis: