Phuket croc now wanted 'dead or alive'

[webfact]

Phuket croc now wanted 'dead or alive'
Jody Houton


Sean Panton and Suchard Raksangob took to the skies to try to 'Spot the Croc'.

PHUKET: -- The strategy for dealing with Phuket’s rogue crocodile, first spotted off Mai Khao beach on November 3, has been changed to ‘Wanted: Dead or Alive.’

After more than 10 days of guests in hotels along Mai Khao Beach being prevented from swimming in the sea, and numerous reported sightings, an emergency meeting was chaired by Phuket Governor Maitree Intusut at his office this morning (November 18).

At the meeting, which brought together officials from the National Parks Department, the Royal Forestry Department, the Mai Khao Marine Turtle Foundation, the Phuket Marine Biological Centre and Sean Panton, representing the JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa, it was decided that prompt action needs be taken to solve the problem.

Prompt action was indeed taken. At 1pm this afternoon Mr Panton, piloted by Suchard Raksangob, owner of the Phuket Air Park took to the skies to try to spot the croc. They drew a blank.

Mr Panton explained to The Phuket News the reasons for the change in strategy.

“The animal is likely to have come from a crocodile farm in Krabi. Seven escaped from there about six months ago, and four have since been killed, or perhaps perished due to them not being used to the environment [leaving three still at large].

“If it’s been in captivity, it is likely to be aggressive. [Animals such as this] are usually killed, not captured, in this [sort of] situation.”

Mr Panton added that while Forest Rangers and National Parks staff have made and will continue to make every effort to catch the croc alive, there may need to be a more “assertive solution” to the situation – for the sake of public safety and the community, as well as the tourists.

If the croc is caught – or killed – a DNA test will be conducted to find out if it is in fact from the crocodile farm in Krabi.

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-croc-now-wanted-%E2%80%98dead-or-alive%E2%80%99-42898.php


-- Phuket News 2013-11-18

[pgrahmm]

Those things are all but invisible in a stream/river/lake when they want to be - with miles and miles of coast and waves it is not going to be easy to track down......If it's a salt water croc - however misplaced then they really have a problem.....

[Patje]

The tourists not only risk: robbery by taxi drivers , stabbing by thugs and drunk teens, extortion by the police, beating up by ladyboys, getting scammed by jet-ski owners, drowning in the waves, no ..... to add to the adventure they trow in a croc !!! Thailand land of the thousand smiles

[somchaismith]

My hero! Go and get 'em crocs mate.

[chooka]

From the headline and the pic of the Farang I thought it was him.

Aren't crocodiles a protected species like Aussies.

[LivinginKata]

off topic post removed

[Sirius1935]

From the headline and the pic of the Farang I thought it was him.

Aren't crocodiles a protected species like Aussies.

No. Aussies are not a protected species in Thailand, well not in Kata anyway.

[FireMedic]

I find this thought process hysterical. They are ready to kill an animal because of "potential dangerous or aggressive". So far, I don't remember any instances of a croc killing or even injuring a tourist. If they were ready to kill all "dangerous and aggressive" predators in Phuket, it would soon be a very lonely island. Tuk tuks, taxis, ladyboys, and sex show touts would all be on the "WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE" posters. I would really like to know what the ratio is of Croc: tourist death/injury to Thai: tourist death/injury.

[chaiyapoon]

You seem to know very little about crocodiles in Thailand.Firstly the siam crocodile is a protected species, but are extremely rare and at one time thought extinct. They are a fresh water variety.

All others are imported species farmed for their skins and some meat.So this croc was always destined to die.You won't find any recent information on attacks by crocodiles as there aren't any.In Thailand nearly every year there are escapes from these farms usually during flooding.The Thais rightly are scared of them getting loose and causing exactly what this one is doing effecting tourism and causing a panic.

[Loles]

Ye, Ye. If something, anything disturb the moneymaker-machine have to kill.

[phantomfiddler]

My hero! Go and get 'em crocs mate.

And make it snappy ! Sorry folks, somebody had to say it, however lame

[MaxYakov]

My hero! Go and get 'em crocs mate.

And make it snappy ! Sorry folks, somebody had to say it, however lame

Brings me to tears! Isn't there a dial-a-croc service or some such they can use?

Edited November 19, 2013 by MaxYakov

[Pops]

The croc naturally belongs in this environment !

The tourists don't.