Crocodiles proposed as prison guards in Israeli security experiment

Israel is pushing ahead with a plan to use Nile crocodiles as a natural security barrier around prisons, though the proposal has triggered opposition from environmental officials and legal advisers who question both its feasibility and legality.

The plan, which has been dubbed a potential “crocodile prison,” is intended to make escapes more difficult and reduce the costs associated with employing additional security personnel. The crocodiles would reportedly be stationed around a high-security prison under construction, as Israeli media reports.

"Nile crocodiles could be used as a natural barrier around the high-security prison under construction," a report on the proposal said.

To enable the project, Environmental Protection Minister Idit Silman declared the Nile crocodile a “cultivated wild animal,” a legal classification that would allow the Israel Prison Service to keep the reptiles outside traditional zoo facilities.

The move, which is being driven by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, has faced resistance from the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, which argued that keeping wild animals for security purposes is incompatible with existing wildlife protection rules.

Officials told Ben-Gvir and Silman that crocodiles should be protected rather than used as a security tool.

"We need to protect them, not have them protect us. That is not the spirit of the law," officials reportedly said.

Under existing regulations, wild animals may generally be held only for educational, research and public information purposes.

The Nature and Parks Authority also warned that the plan was impractical and raised concerns based on past experience with crocodile farming in Israel.

Revival of old legal category

The Nile crocodile had previously been classified as a “cultivated wild animal” to allow commercial farming for crocodile skins. However, the practice was later ended after a series of problems, including crocodile escapes and risks to public safety.

Former Environmental Protection Minister Gilad Erdan shut down the industry following a recommendation from the advisory committee of the Nature and Parks Authority’s governing body.

Silman’s declaration effectively revived the previously unused legal category, but critics argue that it creates a new purpose for the designation: keeping cultivated wild animals for security applications.

According to the declaration, the crocodiles would be held by a security organisation and require approval from the environmental protection minister based on a demonstrated security need.

According to media reports, legal officials have questioned whether such a change can be made through a ministerial declaration alone. Critics argue that the move goes beyond existing regulations and would require primary legislation approved by the Knesset.

Legal concerns

The Environmental Protection Ministry’s legal adviser, attorney Neta Drori, reportedly warned Silman last month that there was insufficient professional and factual evidence to justify proceeding with the plan.

Drori’s concerns add another obstacle to the proposal, which has already faced opposition from environmental authorities.

Despite the controversy, Ben-Gvir has continued to promote the idea as a way to strengthen prison security while reducing costs. It remains unclear whether the crocodile deployment plan will ultimately receive final approval or move beyond the planning stage.

By Nazrin Sadigova