text: From allegations of sexism to claims of fakery, it seems Bear Grylls' latest TV show is never far from controversy, and producers are now back in hot water again. It has been revealed that starving competitors on the survival show hunted and killed an endangered crocodile during filming after the show's bosses mistook it for a more common species. Male competitors had not eaten for two weeks when they tracked down and killed what the show's producers thought was a common caiman - a small, relatively common reptile. Scroll down for video . Male competitors on Bear Grylls' show The Island had not eaten for two weeks when they killed what producers believed was a common caiman - but later discovered was an endangered American crocodile . However, suspicions were raised when the animal slain on camera appeared larger than usual, and it has now turned out to be an endangered American crocodile. While the animal's exact numbers in the wild are unknown, conservationists are in agreement that illegal hunting and habitat destruction have left it critically endangered. Most U.S. states in which the creature is native, along with islands in the Caribbean, parts of Mexico and South America have all passed laws protecting the creature. According to The Sun, the show's producers had surveyed the islands used during the show before contestants were set loose, trying to identify any animals which would be off-limits for hunting. A spokesman for Channel 4 said the islands used in the show were surveyed to establish what wildlife lived there before filming, and it was not known that American crocodiles (pictured) could be found there . While several caimans had been discovered, it was not known that the American crocodile also lived there until the competitors found it. The episode in which the animal is killed on a remote island off Panama, central America, will be screened tonight. A spokesman for Channel 4, which produced the show, said: 'This was a genuine and regrettable error. Prior to filming experts were consulted to ascertain species on both islands and the American crocodile was not known to be in the area or on the island. 'The relevant national environment agency are aware of the incident and have granted a licence to replace the animal which has now been done.'
target: Male contestants had not eaten for two weeks when they killed reptile .
  Bosses though it was common caiman, but it was an American crocodile .
  Species is listed as endangered and laws protect it from being hunted .