A mysterious crocodile sighting in the small Tuscan village of Masiano has ignited public interest, attracting visitors and hunters eager to catch a glimpse of the alleged reptile. A photograph, reportedly taken by a lake maintenance contractor in May, appears to show the creature's eyes and snout above the surface of a murky lake.
Since the photo's circulation, residents in Masiano, located northwest of Florence, have been divided about the crocodile's existence. The mystery has nonetheless drawn curious visitors from across Italy.
Local lore suggests the animal may have escaped from captivity as a hatchling and found its way to the lake during floods approximately three years ago. The lake, described as about 50 feet deep and rich with fish, is surrounded by steep banks and fencing that reportedly prevent escape. The lake's owner, Vivai Reali, reported the sighting to local police and hired Olivier Behra, a French crocodile hunter, to attempt a capture. Behra has set up photo traps and a metal cage but has not yet apprehended the animal.
Behra stated on Facebook that the crocodile is estimated to be just over 1.5 meters long, suggesting it poses no significant threat for at least two decades. He plans to return in September when a lower water level is expected to aid the search.
Despite the efforts and the official report filed with local police, skepticism persists among some villagers. Tommaso Pinferi, a local business owner, noted that he has never seen a crocodile in Masiano, and another resident, Domenico Petrolo, humorously attributed sightings to post-lunch indulgence.
The maintenance worker who reported the sighting faces potential legal consequences, including up to six months in prison and a fine of up to €516, if found to have caused a false alarm. However, Maurizio Bartolini, the brother of the lake's owner, confirmed that local police submitted the image to an AI research team in Florence, which reportedly authenticated it as real.
Official silence from authorities has fueled speculation. Some residents claim that sightings of ducks and herons have decreased, attributing the decline to the crocodile. Other unconfirmed local beliefs mention even more unusual wildlife in Masiano, such as carnivorous tortoises, coypu, blue crabs, and killer crayfish.
The purported crocodile has inadvertently boosted local tourism and business. A local bar has introduced a "Masiano Crocodile" cocktail, and a youth football team has rebranded itself as the "Masiano Crocodiles." Some residents, like nursery owner Domenico Vannucci, believe the village should further leverage the publicity, regardless of the crocodile's actual existence.