A two-year-old girl was killed by crocodiles on her family’s farm in Siem Reap town on Sunday after she wandered into the enclosure alone, police said.
Pol Capt Chem Chamnan, Siem Reap deputy police chief, identified the victim as Rom Roath Neary, a two-year-old girl. She fell prey to the reptiles at the family farm in Siem Reap on Sunday, the Khmer Times reported on Monday.
“Her father only found her head in the crocodile enclosure,” he said.
Och Sophen, chief of Siem Reap commune police, said the girl was home with her mother.
Pol Lt Sophen said the family had recently welcomed a newborn baby. The mother was busy taking care of the baby, she lost sight of her elder daughter. When the father came home about 10am he found his daughter’s head in the crocodile enclosure, he said.
“He couldn’t find his daughter in the house,” Pol Lt Sophen said. “He found her head in the crocodile enclosure. He confirmed that their daughter fell into the enclosure and the crocodiles killed her.”
Pol Lt Sophen said the family had built a fence around the crocodile area but children could still fit through it.
“His farm is located behind the house, and the small girl went to play around and fell in while her mother was busy taking care of another daughter, who had just been born,” Pol Lt Sophen said.
“We convey our condolences to the family. The mother hugged her daughter’s head, shocked,” he added. “We appeal to all families who have crocodile farms to pay attention to all family members, especially small children.”
The news came as a shock to the public, and users on social media conveyed their condolences to the family and cautioned others that small children are not aware that some animals may be dangerous.
Chan Leap, 52, a crocodile farmer in Banteay Meanchey province, said that she will watch over all family members and have someone guard the farm.
She said she will build a fence around the farm and will never allow small children near it.
“I raise the crocodiles and I feed them every day,” Leap said. “I do not allow any other family member to come to see the farm or feed the crocodiles because I am afraid they will fall into the enclosure. Small children, especially, I do not allow them to see the crocodiles.”