Worries Emerge over Video of 4-year-old Playing with Baby Crocodiles

[snoop1130]

 

A video has gone viral, showing a mother letting her 4-year-old child play with hundreds of baby crocodiles without fear. The video has raised concerns due to potential health risks, as the child could be exposed to harmful germs and toxins.

 

The video was shot in Tha Takiap district, Chachoengsao province. After the video surfaced, officials went to the crocodile farm where it was filmed to carry out an investigation. They were worried about the child's safety and also about how the farm is run. There were concerns that the crocodiles could pose a risk to the local community if they were to escape as they grow.

 

The farm caretaker, who is also the mother of the girl featured in the video, Ms. Kwanruedee, acknowledged that she let her daughter play with about 200 baby crocodiles to create content for the video. She said she didn't expect the video to go viral or have such a big impact.

 

Ms. Kwanruedee explained that her daughter started playing with the crocodiles two years ago when they separated weak Siamese crocodile hatchlings into a basin. At less than a week old, the baby crocodiles have no teeth and soft bodies. Each is vaccinated against diseases when they turn seven days old. This year, the girl has interacted with the crocodiles on two occasions, always monitored closely by family.

 

 

District health and security officials have told the mother to stop creating such videos and to get her daughter a medical check-up. They pointed out the health risks associated with chemicals used in the water to raise the crocodiles and possible exposure to crocodile waste.

 

Officials also noted the danger if a crocodile was accidentally taken out of the farm by the child and somehow found its way into the local community.

 

According to the provincial fisheries department, the farm has the necessary permits for crocodile breeding and ownership. Yet, they will further investigate the farm's practices concerning crocodile remains, as they discovered tanned crocodile hides on site.

 

There are fewer than ten licensed crocodile farms in Chachoengsao province, but over 60 farms in the area in total. The farm in question, with 400 breeding crocodiles, has been running for 17 years and produces between 2,000 to 3,000 baby crocodiles each year.

 

File photo for reference only

 

-- 2024-07-12

 

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[KhunLA]

some people need to get a life ... the danger 

 

[Gottfrid]

So, nothing dangerous about just being a member of that family?

[hotchilli]

Let the girl have some fun growing up, the crocs are babies and as for the water being contaminated and possibly posing a health risk so are half the natural water sources in Thailand..

Canals, ponds, lakes even black water discharged onto popular resort beaches.

[Grumpy one]

Thailand's version of Steve Erwin