An animal welfare charity in Scotland is appealing for help after a dead crocodile was found in on a golf course in South Lanarkshire.

The West African Dwarf Crocodile was spotted in water at Carnwath Golf Course, near Biggar, on 19 May.

The Scottish SPCA said it appears as if someone may have tried to stuff the reptile. Owners of the protected species require a dangerous wild animal licence.

Scottish SPCA Inspector Heather Lawson collected the crocodile after it had been spotted by members of the public and took it to the National Museum of Scotland to have it identified.

She said: "I first thought it was a prank when I received a call saying there had been sightings of a crocodile but when I investigated I found it was real.

"The crocodile was dead and oddly had tape wrapped around its head. It seems someone has attempted to stuff the crocodile as it had no insides and there was straw stuck in its legs.

"We found it on 19 May and we've been waiting for identification. We now know it was a West African Dwarf Crocodile and it's a complete mystery how it got there."

Authorities are still at a loss as to how the animal died.

"These are protected animals and anyone who owns one in this country would need to have a dangerous wild animal license," she said.

"We are interested in finding out the circumstances and are appealing to anyone with information to contact us."