PHUKET, ‘???????’, a saltwater crocodile, has been captured after appearing in a private reservoir in Phuket Province after five nights and six days of searching. It was taken to the Phuket Coastal Fisheries Research and Development Center before announcing a search for its owner and taking legal action.
Early this morning (5 Aug 2014), officers from the task force tracked down and captured the saltwater crocodile ‘???????’ which emerged from a private reservoir in Ban Para, Pa Klok Subdistrict, Thalang District, Phuket Province on 31 July 2014. The Phuket Provincial Fisheries Office, Thalang District Fisheries Office, several agencies, and Mr. Nikom Suksawat Kraithong from Panya Farm, Crocodile Conservation Training and Academic Center, jointly captured the saltwater crocodile, which the villagers named ‘???????’, and successfully removed it from the reservoir. The operation took 6 days and 5 nights.
The examination found that it was a female saltwater crocodile, 6-7 years old, 2.44 meters long, weighing
approximately 60-70 kilograms, in a healthy and well-rounded condition. Initially, it was taken to the Phuket Coastal Fisheries Research and Development Center before announcing to find the owner and proceeding according to the Fisheries Department’s legal procedures.
Mr. Nikom Suksawat Kraithong said that even though they could not catch the crocodile in the first few days, it was a way to weaken the crocodile. In the work, they continuously adjusted their plans because the working area was quite difficult because the water level was quite deep and the suitability of the equipment. They concluded that they would use a trap method. From their past experience, they had never used this method before, but they would like to reserve the details because it is Kraithong’s strategy.
Mr. Panya Samphao Rat, Mayor of Pa Klok Subdistrict Municipality, said that the origin of the crocodile is still unknown. Further information will be collected. In the past, saltwater crocodiles have never been found in Pa Klok Subdist
rict. Most villagers work as fishermen and know that there will be many fierce animals, so they know how to protect themselves. The municipality will have prevention officers and city officials to look after and help the public 24 hours a day, whether it is from venomous animals or other natural disasters.
Source: Thai News Agency
