Florida, a crocodile swallowed 23 air-rifle pellets, and researchers fear it's not the only one

A South Florida crocodile appears to have died from lead poisoning after swallowing 23 pellets fired from an air rifle, a fishing weight, and other lead fragments, researchers say. The case began in November 2023 after a Miami-Dade resident reported an American crocodile entering a swimming pool. Biologists captured the animal for routine work with a satellite transmitter, but it died unexpectedly during the process. A field necropsy found 0.79 ounces (22.42 grams) of lead in its stomach—roughly comparable to an AA battery—according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The commission said lead exposure likely weakened the crocodile’s health and reduced its ability to withstand the stress of capture. Investigators also noted remains of at least one green iguana, tooth loss, and high lead concentrations in the liver. Officials are sampling more American crocodiles across Florida to determine whether the incident reflects a broader pattern.