Search For Escaped Crocodiles Ends In Vain

[george]

Search for escaped crocodiles ends in vain

LOPBURI: -- A 10-hour hunt for escaped crocodiles ended in vain yesterday as fisheries staff and local volunteers failed to find any trace of the reptiles, which slipped out of a local crocodile farm. Villagers at tambon Phatthana Nikhom, worried that the animals will roam into populated areas, are calling for tougher inspections of local farms, some of which operate illegally.

The Fisheries Department's special task force is expected to catch some of the escaped crocodiles overnight, when they are less likely to be stressed by high temperatures and crowds.

However, the villagers want relevant agencies to extend the scope of the hunt to ensure that all ponds and reservoirs in the area are crocodile-free.

The search covers a 500-metre radius from Chaturamit crocodile farm, owner of the stray crocodiles, said chairman of the Phatthana Nikhom tambon administration organisation (TAO) Manit Yungtung, who headed yesterday's operation.

The farm was set up in 2002 and the villagers first saw the crocodiles roaming in natural waterways last year.

Pubet Sinwimol, the farm owner, told fisheries officials that the crocodiles did not belong to his farm.

On Saturday a crocodile bit the little finger of a 24-year-old fisherman as he waded through Huay Yang, about 400 metres from the farm.

Seven stray crocodiles have been captured over the past three days. The animals are two to three years old, and weigh five to 10kg, Mr Manit said.

Most of the crocodiles have been shot dead by villagers, who lack the expertise to capture the reptiles alive. The crocodile meat was sold to restaurants for 1,000-1,500 baht per head, or was shared among villagers joining the hunt, said Mr Manit.

The search team, which comprises the TAO and provincial disaster relief units, disaster prevention volunteers and the Fisheries Department's suppression and protection unit from Nakhon Sawan, said they did not know how many crocodiles were roaming in the natural waterways.

Phatthana Nikhom district chief Nopadon Srisuk said villagers wanted the management of crocodile farms to improve. ''Agencies need to inspect these farms to ensure the owners can stop their crocodiles getting loose,'' he said.

The district has three registered crocodile farms, with over 100 animals each. ''But there are likely to be more unregistered crocodile farms operating illegally,'' he said. The governor will meet fisheries officials today to step up a crocodile farm inspection and management scheme, aimed at preventing more escapes.

Somruedee Onsantea, six, who lives near Huay Yang and likes to swim in the canal, said: ''I'm scared of the crocodiles. I want the police to catch them right away so I can swim in the canal again.''

Seepai Pannapong, head of the Nakhon Sawan-based fisheries suppression and protection unit, said he opposed efforts to kill the escaped crocodiles.

''There is no need to shoot them. Crocodiles can be caught easily if they are under no stress,'' said Mr Seepai.

To capture them, fisheries officials wait until the reptiles emerge to the water's surface. Then they stun them by dipping an electrical wire into the water.

Mr Seepai said his team was often asked to catch crocodiles that escaped from privately-run pens. ''We need stronger measures to control the farms,'' he said.

--Bangkok Post 2006-04-20

[Scott]

Young boys should be warned about swimming naked in the area!

[Nignoy]

Young boys should be warned about swimming naked in the area!

Crikey!!! Nignoy

[Chang_paarp]

This topic was posted above one about Thaksin returning to Thailand.

Should I read anything into that?

[george]

Update:

Thai official offers $25 for crocodiles

LOPBURI: -- A 1,000-baht ($25) reward will be given to anyone who catches one of the many crocodiles believed to be slithering through the canals of a central Thai district, an official said Wednesday, as search teams continued a hunt for the stray reptiles.

Experts from nearby fisheries departments poured into Lopburi province's Pattana Nikom district, 90 miles north of Bangkok, where search teams were struggling to catch the animals before the rainy season arrives and raises water levels.

About 100 experts and volunteers, armed with nets and electrical wire intended to electrocute the crocodiles, plied the ponds and canals of Pattana Nikom.

About a dozen of the reptiles are believed to remain at large after having escaped from area farms that breed them for their skin and meat, much of it exported to destinations including Europe and China.

Eighteen crocodiles have already been caught since authorities started a search on Saturday, when one of the reptiles bit off a fisherman's finger while he was wading through a canal.

"We will continue our hunt until all the canals in these villages are free from crocodiles and people feel safe to walk through rice fields or go fishing," said municipal official Surasak Jermsom.

The hunt has drawn crowds of people, many of whom share in a feast of crocodile meat after one is caught. Surasak has urged the onlookers to join the hunt.

"I will pay 1,000 baht to anyone who catches a crocodile and hands it over to the fisheries department," he said.

--AP 2006-04-19

[jdinasia]

if I catch 2 will they make a new pair of loafers for me?

[noctiluca]

To capture them, fisheries officials wait until the reptiles emerge to the water's surface. Then they stun them by dipping an electrical wire into the water.

Shouldn't they use a better way to capture the crocs? Isn't it too dangerous and irresponsible to stun them with eclectricity in the water? Wouldn't that kill other aquatic animals too?

[teletiger]

Do they have a discription?

regards

[bonsaimax]

The crocodile meat was sold to restaurants for 1,000-1,500

"I will pay 1,000 baht to anyone who catches a crocodile and hands it over to the fisheries department," he said.

Do the maths.

[hopeless]

To capture them, fisheries officials wait until the reptiles emerge to the water's surface. Then they stun them by dipping an electrical wire into the water.

Shouldn't they use a better way to capture the crocs? Isn't it too dangerous and irresponsible to stun them with eclectricity in the water? Wouldn't that kill other aquatic animals too?

Defo not, unless theres a little fishie in very close proximity to the croc the rest of the marine life will not notice a thing, infact they'll probs be greatful the crocs gone! Electricity will lose a lot of amps over a short distance in h20.

Not sure of any other ways to catch a croc, unless steve irwinss around town...?

[Nignoy]

To capture them, fisheries officials wait until the reptiles emerge to the water's surface. Then they stun them by dipping an electrical wire into the water.

Shouldn't they use a better way to capture the crocs? Isn't it too dangerous and irresponsible to stun them with eclectricity in the water? Wouldn't that kill other aquatic animals too?

Defo not, unless theres a little fishie in very close proximity to the croc the rest of the marine life will not notice a thing, infact they'll probs be greatful the crocs gone! Electricity will lose a lot of amps over a short distance in h20.

Not sure of any other ways to catch a croc, unless steve irwinss around town...?

At least the thai,s are notified sometimes when crocs escape, our mr erwin has lost quite a few over the years ,but shhhhh dont tell any one favourite local story from last september of a pet labrador being taken by a very big Goanna from a garden backing on to one of the creeks near Beerwah,here are regular sightings in our area, not alcohol induced either. everyone knows quickest way to catch a croc is to send a tourist swiming and get them to whisper Crikey as they stand in the water Nignoy

[h90]

To capture them, fisheries officials wait until the reptiles emerge to the water's surface. Then they stun them by dipping an electrical wire into the water.

Shouldn't they use a better way to capture the crocs? Isn't it too dangerous and irresponsible to stun them with eclectricity in the water? Wouldn't that kill other aquatic animals too?

I would worry more about the staff.....

after catching 1 croko and drinking 1 bottle lao kao to celebrate Tschadschai stepped into the water just while sumchai pluged in the 220 volt......

[Scott]

jdinasia--why would you want loafers--I thought you already were a loafer!

[jdinasia]

Search for Escaped Crocodiles End In Vein