Khao Yai visitors told to beware of 'giant crocodile'

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Khao Yai Visitors Told To Beware Of 'Giant Crocodile'
By Khaosod English

File photo of the crocodile given by Khao Yai National Park officials, date unknown.

BANGKOK: -- Tourists visiting Khao Yai National Park have been warned to beware of a large, ferocious crocodile on the loose.

The crocodile was reportedly first spotted 6 years ago near Haew Suwat Waterfall by park rangers, when it was still a much smaller creature.

Now that the crocodile has grown into its adolescence, it becomes very large, very protective of its territory, and develop violent behaviour, said Mr. Patraphon Manee-On, Khao Yai National Park Veterinarian.

It is unclear where the crocodile came from, whether it was born in the Park, or was "abandoned" by a visitor, Mr. Patraphon said. The closest investigation the authority can do to determine its origin is to conduct DNA tests from the crocodile’s droppings.

The authority had also tried several failed attempts, including calling for help from a crocodile farm from Chonburi province, to capture the creature.

In order to avoid undesirable incident, the authority placed warning signs written both in Thai and English to warn tourists to avoid the river in the park. It is believed that the crocodile has settled somewhere between the jungle track from Pha Kluay Mai to Haew Suwat Waterfall.

Several rangers are also instructed to stand ground in the area to warn tourists who use the tracks in the area, said Mr. Kritsada Homsood, Director of Khao Yai National Park.

Furthermore, the National Park authority has been concerned by recent disappearance of small animals in the area where the crocodile is thought to be residing, with evidence of missing monkeys and snakes. Skulls of monkeys found in the vicinity suggested that they might have been caught and eaten by the reptile.

“It is possible that the crocodile might harm visitors”, stressed Mr. Patraphon.

Source: http://www.khaosod.co.th/en/view_newsonline.php?newsid=TVRNNU1UVTNNekkyT1E9PQ==&sectionid=TURFd01BPT0=


-- Khaosod English 2014-02-05

[ratcatcher]

Yes. this crocodile must be eradicated. Can't have wild dangerous animals in a national park. People might get hurt.;

Same goes for wild tigers and elephants. These creatures are unpredictable and there is always the potential for loss of life. Better safe than sorry. Shoot 'em all or put 'em in a zoo.

[h90]

Yes. this crocodile must be eradicated. Can't have wild dangerous animals in a national park. People might get hurt.;

Same goes for wild tigers and elephants. These creatures are unpredictable and there is always the potential for loss of life. Better safe than sorry. Shoot 'em all or put 'em in a zoo.

But you can have there rabbits and puddles....

[londonthai]

it's a canny tourist attraction put by the park authorities themselves many years ago. The croc is harmless, because is feeded, possibly with drugged meat. For years local guides from the park known about it and were bringing tours for foto shots.

and, of course, the croc will eat animals, but digests them fully, even without leaving any traces (fact known to the thai army and thai authorities - so called "croc wells" are a perfect murder covers, because victims body can't never found), so these monkey skulls are mentioned only for advertising purposes.

there must be many carcases of run over animals on the park roads, but even buying some dead animals from the farms is paying back in more tourists flogging in

Edited February 5, 2014 by londonthai

[skills32]

I wonder if the croc came from a crocodile farm during the floods a few years ago.

[JoeThePoster]

I think I saw it once at the entrance to the park. Tried to get 400 baht from me.

Edited February 5, 2014 by JoeThePoster

[whybother]

I wonder if the croc came from a crocodile farm during the floods a few years ago.

They were pretty big floods, but not THAT big.

[krisb]

That's either a small croc or a very very large tree trunk.

Not up there with 'sweetheart' caught in the Northern Territory of Australia.

Edited February 5, 2014 by krisb

[Sayonarax]

A typical Aussie, would just jump on its back and ride it down stream.

[neverdie]

That's either a small croc or a very very large tree trunk.

Not up there with 'sweetheart' caught in the Northern Territory of Australia.

Yeah that's exactly what I was thinking, I've had bigger ones in my backyard, ohh yeah and my 80 year old neighbour chased it away - lol

[alfalfa19]

Simple, just hire a Thai hitman to bump him off. They will kill their fellows for 10K, probably only 12-15 for the croc.

[Scott]

Troll posts and replies deleted.

[Credo]

it's a canny tourist attraction put by the park authorities themselves many years ago. The croc is harmless, because is feeded, possibly with drugged meat. For years local guides from the park known about it and were bringing tours for foto shots.

and, of course, the croc will eat animals, but digests them fully, even without leaving any traces (fact known to the thai army and thai authorities - so called "croc wells" are a perfect murder covers, because victims body can't never found), so these monkey skulls are mentioned only for advertising purposes.

there must be many carcases of run over animals on the park roads, but even buying some dead animals from the farms is paying back in more tourists flogging in

I don't know about that. I've been to Khao Yai numerous times, but I can assure you, my visits will be much shorter and there will be much less wondering around, especially near water.

[slipperylobster]

..sounds like a job for the Aussies. Any Dundee's out there?

[Tchooptip]

That's either a small croc or a very very large tree trunk.

Not up there with 'sweetheart' caught in the Northern Territory of Australia.

Not up there with 'sweetheart' caught in the Northern Territory of Australia.

Not up not up...Yes...but 40 years ago! So you'r disqualified, sorry

[jackr]

Now that the crocodile has grown into its adolescence, it becomes very large, very protective of its territory, and develop violent behaviour,

So a bit like your average Thai male then.

[Soutpeel]

That's either a small croc or a very very large tree trunk.

Not up there with 'sweetheart' caught in the Northern Territory of Australia.

I was waiting for the " that's not a crocodile" line LOL

[CapeCobra]

The giant croc migrated to the Treasure Hill Golf Course.

[recycler]

After a narrow escape when an elephant walked trough our tent at night I will not camp there anymore!

It stepped in my sons armpit, crashed a basket with some small stuff and than hit me in the face to wake me up looking at the stars just to hear the elephant trumpet while walking away in the dark.

The guard that was supposed to be at the campsite........ wasn't there at that moment.

[krisb]

That's either a small croc or a very very large tree trunk.

Not up there with 'sweetheart' caught in the Northern Territory of Australia.

Not up there with 'sweetheart' caught in the Northern Territory of Australia.

Not up not up...Yes...but 40 years ago! So you'r disqualified, sorry

No mate, bigger than that croc is alive today. Cassius the croc in a croc farm is near 6m and if you google giant croc in NT, there's 1 they got next to a land rover and it is the fattest ugliest croc I have seen.

[phantomfiddler]

Now that is one huge croc, fully 7.5 inches long on my screen ! Run for the hills

[neverdie]

..sounds like a job for the Aussies. Any Dundee's out there?

SL,

Give me a call in a couple of years when the croc grows to adulthood, I hate pickin on teenagers

I guess at least it is a salty, not like those little weasel alligators the Americans play with

[Varangkul]

It's plastic!

[allan michaud]

That's either a small croc or a very very large tree trunk.

Not up there with 'sweetheart' caught in the Northern Territory of Australia.

If wild (highly unlikely imo) it should be a freshwater croc, so if they are right about it's age it's probably at most 2m, however if it's a released one from a croc farm it's probably a hybrid, freshie/saltie as they have the best skins for selling and could be a tad bigger. As wild siamese crocs are like the proverbial rocking horse poo, I have to assume it's been planted there by someone. It won't be living in the forest either, it will be at a water source like an ox bow lake. Having watched and filmed several in the wild I know how nervous they are, so if they are taking tourists down to see them, as some TV posters are suggesting, I am utterly convinced its a farmed croc.

[darrendsd]

Yes. this crocodile must be eradicated. Can't have wild dangerous animals in a national park. People might get hurt.;

Same goes for wild tigers and elephants. These creatures are unpredictable and there is always the potential for loss of life. Better safe than sorry. Shoot 'em all or put 'em in a zoo.

I have just read the story in full twice and nowhere can I see any reference that it will be "eradicated"

Are you reading a different story to me?

[beowolf2012]

so where is khao yai national park?

[falangadang]

A typical Aussie, would just jump on its back and ride it down stream.

Don't worry,.. Hogues is still around and about,.. Crocodile Dundee to the rescue!

[pacovl46]

I saw this croc 2 years ago and it was about 2 meters long then. Interesting was that the warning sign stood roughly about 100 meters after the place where the croc usually hangs out making it pretty much useless.

[fxe1200]

I loved the sign at the entrance of a Florida swamp: "No trespassing, you will be eaten". Why they don't have these signs in Thailand??

[wileycoyote]

LIke the old song:

"if you go down to the woods today,you are in a for a big surprise !"