Authorities in the southern Chinese city of Maoming have launched a massive operation to recapture more than 70 crocodiles that escaped from a commercial farm following intense flooding in the region. The incident has sparked concerns among local residents, with some being warned to stay indoors for their safety.
The escaped crocodiles, originally housed at a crocodile farm in Maoming, found an unexpected opportunity for freedom when a recent deluge caused a local lake to overflow, allowing the animals to swim away from their enclosures.
Reports from Shandong-based outlet Hai Bao News indicated that at least 69 adult crocodiles and six juveniles were unaccounted for at one point, specifically near the village of Peng Cun. Local authorities quickly sprang into action, urging residents to avoid venturing outdoors until the situation was under control.
To tackle the predicament, an emergency response team was deployed, equipped with sonar detection equipment to locate and apprehend the missing crocodiles. However, the challenge proved formidable due to the depth of the floodwater, prompting authorities to emphasize the importance of residents staying indoors for their safety.
Speaking to Nanfeng Plus, a member of the emergency squad expressed the possibility of having to euthanize the escaped crocodiles if capturing them proved too difficult or dangerous.
Video footage circulating on Chinese social media platforms captured the unnerving presence of the crocodiles, some lurking behind submerged road signs on what appeared to be completely inundated roads. The emergency response team, donning helmets and high-visibility vests, could be seen combing the area in boats, diligently searching for the reptiles.
Additional footage showcased several captured crocodiles being brought back to dry land, where their mouths and limbs were securely tied to restrict their movements. Local residents watched with curiosity from the safety of the shore.
Crocodiles are highly valued in China for their skin, which is used in various luxury products, and their meat is believed to have medicinal properties in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Consequently, Guangdong Province has become a popular location for crocodile farms due to its relatively warmer climate.
The southern regions of China, including Hong Kong, have recently faced a barrage of heavy rainfall and flooding following the passage of Typhoon Haikui, which tore through the area last week. These weather conditions have added further complications to the ongoing efforts to recapture the escaped crocodiles, highlighting the need for a swift and safe resolution to protect both the local population and these formidable reptiles.
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