MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. — A crocodile found with a spear lodged in her head in October in the Florida Keys died on Friday afternoon after undergoing surgery at Zoo Miami’s Animal Hospital.
The 8-foot-long crocodile had a bullet lodged in her head that caused blindness in her left eye, and small lead fishing weights and pellets in her stomach that caused high levels of lead in her system, according to Ron Magill, Zoo Miami’s communications director.
“These items probably entered Britney’s body when she consumed fish caught on a fishing line or preyed on animals like iguanas that had been shot and ended up in the water,” Magill said.
Zoo Miami’s Animal Hospital team named the alligator Britney, treated her with anesthesia, and used an endoscope to try to remove the small pieces of metal from her stomach.
Dr. Nick Buscaglia and Dr. Gwen Myers performed surgery on Thursday morning with the hope that this would help her survive the injuries.
“Following the surgery, Britney was placed in the Zoo’s Animal Hospital to recover from the anesthesia. However, this morning she was found to still be very lethargic, with lingering effects from the anesthesia, Magill said. ”Recovery from general anesthesia can be especially challenging for cold-blooded animals."
Magill said the combination of her pre-existing injuries and anemia proved insurmountable.
“The loss of this federally threatened animal serves as a heartbreaking reminder of the devastating consequences of illegal and cruel actions against wildlife, actions often driven by unfounded fear and ignorance,” Magill said. “It also highlights the unintended harm that can result from the introduction of toxic substances into the environment, such as pellet gun ammunition, which can enter the food chain and negatively affect wildlife.”
Copyright 2025 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved.
