RATCHABURI — People living alongside a canal in Pak Tho district have been warned to stay clear of waterways after dozens of baby crocodiles escaped from a nearby farm following heavy rain on Sunday.
Soldiers from Srisuriyawong military camp were called to Thep Nimit farm in Moo 4 village of Bor Kradarn sub-district at 3pm to help catch dozens of the six-month old, 80-centimetre long crocodiles on the loose.
Ooy Chinpinkiew, the owner, said her farm had three pits, two for adult crocodiles and the other for baby crocs, and each had about 150 of the reptiles. Continuous rainfall since Saturday had caused water levels in the pits to rise, prompting workers to open drainage pipes to drain water into the canal behind the farm. Some of the young crocodiles slipped into the waterway through the pipes during the process, Ms Ooy said.
Farm workers show one of the approximately 80cm baby crocodiles. (Photo by Saichon Srinuanchan)
The farm did not cover the drainage pipes with grates until after soldiers ordered them to do so to prevent a repeat of the incident.
Ms Ooy said locals had shot and killed four of the escaped baby crocodiles to eat the meat.
She said soldiers and farm workers would use purse seines to catch the remaining crocs. She appealed to residents to report crocodile sightings to the farm or authorities, saying she would reward anyone who provides information leading to the capturing of the creatures.
Pak Tho district chief Prayong Chanteng made an announcement through alarm systems to warn villagers in the area to refrain from fishing and keep out of the water for their safety, and to advise them to alert authorities or the farm immediately if they sight a crocodile.