German lake is closed to swimmers over safety fears after a walker reports seeing CROCODILES in the water
- The walker raised the alarm on Tuesday, saying she had seen three crocodiles
- Police took it seriously enough to shut down the lake and surrounding park
- Officers have been scouring the scene but have yet to find any of the reptiles
A German lake has been closed off to swimmers after a woman claimed she had seen crocodiles in the water.
The walker raised the alarm on Tuesday evening after saying she had seen three of the reptiles in the lake in Kirchheim unter Teck, in southern Germany.
Police took her claims seriously enough to shut down the Bürgersee lake and surrounding park as they investigate whether the crocodiles may have been genuine abandoned pets.
Several officers went to the scene that evening and resumed their search the following day, although they did not find any ‘crocodiles or similar reptiles’.
A German lake (pictured) has been closed off to swimmers after a woman raised an alarm on Tuesday evening claiming she had seen three small crocodiles in the water
Signs have been put up around the perimeter of the park, warning members of the public of the possible crocodile threat.
According to German media, town officials have brought in experts from the Wilhelma zoo in nearby Stuttgart to advise on the reptile risk.
All three lakes which make up the park have been closed off to swimmers.
Local officials are also on hand to keep visitors away and the closure is expected to remain in place until at least Monday.
‘Town authorities are in close contact with police and other experts to clarify as quickly as possible if the animals sighted were really crocodiles’, a statement said.
Rain is expected this weekend, but swimmers would hope to be able to use the lake by next week when temperatures are forecast to reach 93F in the town.
The town, in the state of Baden-Württemberg, is around 22 miles from Stuttgart.