Illegal keeping of Nile crocodile in Tashkent leads to administrative action

A video circulated on social networks showing a citizen keeping a Nile crocodile at home. The Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change has issued a statement regarding the incident.

An urgent investigation was conducted by the Ministry’s State Control Inspectorate. During the raid, officials discovered that a resident of Tashkent was illegally keeping one Nile crocodile in his home.

The crocodile was subsequently transferred to the Tashkent Zoo. An administrative report was filed against the offender under Part 1 of Article 92-1 of the Code of Administrative Responsibility. The case documents were forwarded to judicial authorities for further legal evaluation and appropriate measures.

It should be noted that, according to Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 736 “On measures to improve the procedure for keeping wild animals,” effective from January 1 this year, individuals are prohibited from keeping certain wild animals in captivity (as listed) and using wild animals in circus performances.

The Nile crocodile inhabits almost all regions of Africa, especially rivers, lakes, and swamps south of the Sahara. It is particularly common in the Nile River basin, from which it derives its name. The crocodile typically measures 4 to 6 meters in length and weighs approximately 500 to 700 kilograms.

Previously, in the Tashkent district of the Tashkent region, a person was detained for keeping one tiger and four tiger snakes in his apartment.