The wildlife experts are setting up traps at the lake of the River Dam in order to capture the 6-foot crocodile nicknamed Sifis, who drew the attention of the local and the international media in the last few days, and also a second crocodile that was spotted in the same area.

Initially, they thought reports of the 6-foot long creature were a hoax, but videos proved that it actually exists.

Moreover, according to locals’ reports, not one but two crocodiles were spotted swimming in the lake, in particular a large female and a smaller male.

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, setting up traps to capture the two animals.

The first trap, an aluminum cage 2.5 m in length, was placed by scientists and the EMAK – the Greek Disaster Management Special Unit –  in a swampy area, close to where Sifis was first spotted. The second trap will be placed at the right side of the lake, in another swampy area with wild duck nests.

The cages contain chickens as bait. According to experts, this is the kind of food crocodiles prefer.