Alleged crocodile sightings prove to be false alarm. The mayor of an Italian coastal town near Rome has assured residents that the panic caused by alleged sightings of a crocodile or caiman in recent days was a false alarm. Ladispoli mayor Alessandro Grando stated on Tuesday that "there is no dangerous reptile" in the Sanguinara river, adding that the prank had triggered "chaos" and that whoever was behind the "reckless behaviour" would be pursued by police. The alarm was raised on Saturday evening when rumours of the crocodile sighting, based on an image that was circulating on social media, spread quickly through the seaside town. Further alleged sightings of the reptile led to a police investigation, with local officers and civil protection volunteers undertaking a widespread search, reportedly deploying drones. "Some reports have been received regarding the possible presence of a small reptile in the Sanguinara river" - Mayor Grando said in a statement on Sunday - "Based on the photographs and testimonies collected, it could be a small caiman, between 50 and 70 centimetres long." While stressing that a "prank in bad taste" could not be ruled out, the mayor said that authorities were at work to "ascertain the facts and possibly capture the animal", adding: "In the meantime, citizens are urged to be vigilant and promptly report any sightings to police." However the search was called off on Tuesday after a woman, interviewed by Tgcom 24, said she recognised the crocodile as an inflatable toy that had been left in a nearby playground. Shortly afterwards the mayor confirmed that there were "no dangerous reptiles in the Sanguinara River", stressing that authorities had carried out a full investigation to rule out any potential risk to the public, despite the story having been "unlikely" in the first place. "We can finally close this matter, reassuring everyone that there is no risk and that it was just a joke in terrible taste" - Grando said - "We thank the police, the volunteers, and all the citizens for their cooperation and patience." It is not the first time that an animal (a real one) has sparked panic in Ladispoli: in November 2023 a lion called Kimba escaped from a circus and prowled through the town for seven hours before being captured. Residents of Ladispoli, a seaside town near Rome, have been told to stay indoors after a lion escaped from a circus on Saturday. Efforts are underway to capture the animal.pic.twitter.com/GL0bQmVGWZ — Wanted in Rome (@wantedinrome) November 11, 2023