Rescue Officials Recapture Five-Metre Long Crocodile In Chumphon, Southern Thai

By Mohd Haikal Mohd Isa BANGKOK, Jan 11 (Bernama) -- A five-metre long crocodile was on Tuesday recaptured by rescue officials in Chumphon, southern Thailand after escaping from its enclosure due to the raging flood currently battering the region now. According to a local official in Wisainua, the 300kg reptile, believed to be owned by a private farm or individual, escaped when flood waters overwhelmed its cage. "Villagers found the escaped crocodile about noon (local time) and contacted us. With the help of the public, we managed to wrestle and recapture the beast," rescue official Paisarn Kaewprasert said. Wisainua is located in Chumphon's Mueng district, which along with other districts and villages in southern Thailand, was badly affected by widespread flooding, described by many as the worst in 50 years. More than a million residents have been affected by the flooding, which has claimed 25 lives and left two victims missing. Paisarn said the crocodile was currently kept by a local fish farm, pending a request from the supposed owner to take back the reptile. The incident followed a warning by a local authority in Nakhon Si Thammarat, southern Thailand, a few days ago, on escaping crocodiles from the Thung Talad Zoo in the province. Those residing in the vicinity of the zoo which was also flooded, have been advised by the authority to be on the lookout for crocodiles on the prowl. Local media sounded the alarm about crocodiles in the zoo escaping their cage upon spotting the reptiles swimming near the facility during an aerial photography assignment. Due to the flooding, the local authority also sent officials to rescue other animals from the zoo. --BERNAMA