Crocodile, Named Britney, Is Recovering After Being Speared in the Head and Shot in Florida

NEED TO KNOW

• A crocodile is recovering after authorities found her with a large spear in her head in Florida

• The 8-foot reptile — who has been named Britney — also had a bullet lodged in her eye

• The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has since launched a criminal investigation into the incident

A crocodile, named Britney, is recovering after a harrowing ordeal.

Officers from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) were notified about an injured reptile with “a fishing spear lodged in her head and a bullet embedded in her skull from a gunshot wound to the eye” in the waters of Key Largo on Saturday, Oct. 18, according to Zoo Miami.

Wildlife professionals from the zoo and conservation center assisted in the rescue and treatment of the crocodile.

According to Zoo Miami’s head veterinarian, Dr. Gwen Myers, “The bullet will remain in place, as removing it could cause further damage to the surrounding tissues.”

Britney, Dr. Myers added, “has suffered permanent vision loss in her left eye as a result of the gunshot injury.”

Britney is currently “showing encouraging signs of recovery,” per Dr. Myers.

“The Zoo Miami veterinary team reports that she is responding well to antibiotics, fluids and pain management treatments, and the deep, infected wound is healing steadily under their care,” the animal doctor added.

Those treating the crocodile hope to return her to the wild once she is recovered.

“She serves as both a testament to resilience and a reminder of the vital conservation work being done by Zoo Miami to protect Florida’s native wildlife,” Dr. Myers said.

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It is illegal to kill or harass American crocodiles under state and federal law, as the species is listed as federally protected by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The FWC has since initiated a criminal investigation into the incident, according to CBS News, WSVN 7 and the Miami Herald.

The organization is asking anyone with photos, videos or information about the incident to call the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-3922.

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PEOPLE reached out to the FWC for comment but did not receive an immediate response.

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