Escaped crocs from illegal farms pose threat
Residents in flood-hit areas have been warned to watch out for hungry crocodiles escaped from unregistered farms.
The Fisheries Department worries that crocodiles bred at unregistered reptile hatcheries have been washed out of their enclosures by floodwaters. Because they are not used to the "wild", the crocodiles might be hungry and in search of food in "all the wrong places", it said yesterday. Floods have affected many of the Central provinces and the department said an "undetermined number" of both registered and unregistered crocodile farms were located in these areas. Department director-general Charanthada Kannasut said the crocodiles would approach humans because they are used to being fed by keepers. He advised residents to avoid walking or travelling by boat in flooded areas at night, when crocodiles are especially difficult to spot. People have been asked to report any crocodile sightings to the department or local authorities immediately. The department said licensed farms had relocated their stock to safe areas, but there was a risk crocodiles had escaped from unregistered farms and were living in flooded canals and rivers.
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