Crocs in Cyprus

Urban myth or illegal introductions? Stories of crocodiles at Kourris Dam in Cyprus are springing up again. Officials haven't found any, but investigations continue. (News source.)

Rattlesnake Rumors

Another round of tall tales is sweeping through a Virginia community. Southampton County residents are afraid that wildlife officials have released a bunch of rattlesnakes via helicopter... (News source.)

The same rumors of secretive predator introductions have been spread (whether of rattlesnakes, mountain lions, or coyotes) throughout North America, and even in other parts of the world ("viper introductions" in France, etc.).

Komodo Dragon Rumors in PNG

Lae city, in Papua New Guinea, has Komodo dragon rumors, as stories of a giant lizard are being passed around, along with the rumor of an expatriate offering a bounty on a Komodo dragon that was supposedly smuggled into the country as an egg, raised up, and which got loose to terrorize the countryside. (News source.) (Rumor story here.)

A New Threat to Varanus

Misguided attempts to find a cure for AIDS in Africa has led to the injection of white-throat monitor blood into patients. Besides being dangerous, and useless against AIDS, the practice could cause conservation problems for the species if the treatment becomes widespread. (News source.)