A dead crocodile has washed ashore in Vaikaradhoo island of Haa Dhaal atoll.

The crocodile was found on the east side of the island close to 06:15pm on Saturday by island residents.

The three-foot long reptile was dead even when it was discovered, reported a source from the island, who added that it has since been buried under the instructions from the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF).

Crocodiles have been discovered in Maldivian waters on previous occasions as well, one of the most known cases being when a crocodile, discovered by fishermen during 1998, was brought into capital city Malé and bred inside the Children’s Park, “Kuda Kudhinge Bageechaa”.

It was a star attraction in the park, until authorities removed it during 2015 and shot it dead during the administration of Former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom.