Authorities catch stray crocodile left abandoned at California shopping centre

ROSEVILLE, Calif. – Don’t shed any tears for a crocodile that was captured wandering outside a pet store at a Northern California shopping mall.

California Fish and Wildlife officials have taken custody of the croc, are feeding it rainbow trout and will likely donate it to a zoo.

Police say the crocodile was apparently left outside the Roseville store by someone who didn’t want it anymore.

The animal had grown to 4-feet (1.2-meters) long, and its jaws had been wrapped shut with heavy-duty tape. There was a note identifying it as a Nile crocodile and requesting someone “call rescue.”

Police say no one was hurt Wednesday when the animal was picked up with the help of a catch pole typically used to nab stray dogs.