Crocodile escapes from Ukrainian circus into Azov Sea

by ryan | June 1, 2007 at 06:22 am

1969 views | 7 Recommendations | 2 comments

For those of you thinking about going for a swim in the Azov Sea off the coast of the Ukraine...think again. And if you were planning to go to the circus, don't expect to see the dancing crocodile act.

KIEV, Ukraine (AP) - A crocodile escaped from a Ukrainian circus into the Azov Sea, a popular swimming and beach area, officials said Friday.

The 1-meter (3.2-foot) crocodile, named Godzi, escaped from the seaside circus in the city of Mariupol on Thursday, said Mykola Ranga, a spokesman for the regional branch of the Emergency Situations Ministry.

He said ministry workers were searching for the crocodile, whose mouth was taped shut, and that it has been seen swimming in the sea, which lies north of the Black Sea between Ukraine and Russia.

Officials issued a warning to area beachgoers, but Ukrainian media reported that many sunbathers and swimmers were undeterred and came to the shore on Friday.