JERUSALEM (VINnews) — Israel has taken a step toward testing the use of crocodiles as part of security measures outside prisons housing convicted security inmates, after the country’s environmental protection minister approved a legal change allowing the reptiles to be kept by authorized security agencies.

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Idit Silman signed a declaration classifying crocodiles as a “domesticated wild animal,” clearing a legal obstacle that previously prevented the reptiles from being kept outside licensed zoos.

The move follows a proposal by Itamar Ben-Gvir to establish a pilot program using crocodile-filled moats around prisons holding Palestinian security prisoners, including members of Hamas’ Nukhba force.

According to Israeli officials, the Israel Prison Service has studied the proposal, including visits to zoos and reviews of security measures, and concluded that such a system could reduce security costs while serving as a deterrent to escape attempts.

Until now, Israeli law classified the Nile crocodile as a protected wild animal, limiting its possession to licensed zoos. The new designation permits authorized security agencies to keep crocodiles for the purposes of the planned pilot program while requiring appropriate safety, environmental and animal welfare standards.

Officials have not announced when or where the pilot program would begin.