PHUKET: Officials are still searching for a crocodile spotted offshore in Muang district after the reptile narrowly escaped the hunt in the early hours of Friday.
The creature escaped by going underwater and slipping under a seine set up by a crocodile hunt team, known as Kraithong Lum Nam Tapi, from a Surat Thani-based southern inland fisheries prevention and suppression centre.
The team arrived at Yanui beach in tambon Rawai on Friday at 3am.
After the three-hour futile search, the team decided to pause the operation as gusty winds made it difficult for officials to use the fishing gear to capture the animal.
Besides, when the crocodile saw the light, it again dived.
The team plans to approach and capture the reptile again by rounding it up until it becomes exhausted and weak.
However, a meeting will also be held to adjust the plan due to strong winds this morning.
Officials also spotted the carcass of fish believed to be eaten by the crocodile offshore.
The hunt has begun after the crocodile, around 2-3 metres in length, was spotted swimming near Yanui beach on Wednesday evening and again in a nearby location the following day.
It was first spotted by a local man who arrived at the beach planning to catch some fish. He used his mobile phone to take pictures and phoned his mother who later called police.