Famous herpetologist Olivier Behra, who was invited to Crete by local authorities to catch Sifis the crocodile, failed. Initially Behra caught the reptile with a loop, however Sifis managed to escape. The famous herpetologist said that Sifis is a Nile crocodile. Behra left Greece due to prior commitments and left the possibility open to return. However, according to an official announcement by local forester Hara Kargiolaki, a Cretan resident tried to sabotage Behra’s mission. According to the announcement, on August 27, at around 9:00 pm, while the capture operation was in progress, someone approached the area and started making noise using a megaphone. The disturbance forced authorities to halt the operation. The Forest Service of Rethymno had ordered “complete silence and concentration” and asked residents and visitors to show understanding. Vehicles had also been diverted from the area. The crocodile was first seen in July at Potamo Dam in Amari village, near Rethymno, and has become a major tourist attraction. Local authorities have intensified efforts to capture the reptile, however there is a growing number of people who oppose to the capture. There is also a Facebook page dedicated to the crocodile with messages of support such as “Leave Sifis alone!”
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