Vienna, Austria – A confiscated humpback crocodile taken from a private allotment garden in Germany has been relocated to Schönbrunn Zoo, where it is now living in a new enclosure.

The male crocodile, measuring over 2.3 meters and equipped with nearly 70 sharp teeth, is around 30 years old. It had been kept privately for ten years in an allotment garden in Thuringia before authorities seized it when its owners were no longer able to meet the requirements for its care.

The animal was taken in by a reptile rescue center in Munich, which receives several thousand animals each year for medical care and rehoming. Staff there worked to secure a suitable long-term placement.

Zoo officials confirmed the crocodile was moved to Vienna and placed in Schönbrunn Zoo, where it was carefully introduced to a female after a previous male had died in September last year.

The zoo described the pairing as particularly significant, noting that humpback crocodiles are rare in captivity and that the two animals represent genetically valuable individuals for maintaining the zoo population.

The species once faced near extinction in the wild due to exploitation for its leather, with populations in southern Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize heavily depleted around 40 years ago. Conservation breeding programs, including efforts at institutions such as Zoo Atlanta, helped restore wild populations.

Transport of the crocodile was carried out by zoo staff, who moved the animal from Munich to Vienna in a special crate. After arrival, it was kept separated for several days to acclimate while still allowing visual and sensory contact with the female.

The introduction was successful, with the pair immediately interacting, swimming together, and showing early mating behavior. Since then, they have been observed resting closely both on land and in the water.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download