Lyon Zoo’s Longtime Crocodile Residents to Relocate to Natural Habitat in Morocco

In Morocco, a new life awaits the two crocodiles housed at the Tête d’Or park in Lyon since the 1970s. Their departure will take place in September and is already saddening some zoo visitors. "It’s weird that they’re leaving, I got used to seeing them, I’ll be a little sad but it’ll be better for them," says Jules, a young Lyonnais, to France info.

In early July, Grégory Doucet, the mayor of Lyon, had announced the departure of the two animals for the kingdom for a "animal welfare" issue. He had specified that the two reptiles will be housed in a protected wadi, "a natural space".

This species can weigh up to 250 kg, as can be read on the information panel in front of the pavilion occupied by the two West African crocodiles. Its size is between 1.50 and 2.50 meters. If the animal lives in nature, its life expectancy can reach 45 years. Morocco had this species before its disappearance in the 1950s. Today, this crocodile is found in Mauritania and Chad.