CROCLIST: Flooding in Thailand Releases Crocs

[Steve Grenard]

Crocodile alert as reptiles escape illegal farms in flood zones

BANGKOK, Oct 22 (TNA) - Thailand's Department of Fisheries Sunday warned
that crocodiles bred in illegal reptile farms have been escaping from their
confinement due to the floods encompassing much of the central provinces,
and that the animals --unused to a natural environment -- may look for food
in all the wrong places. An undetermined number of crocodile farms, both
legal and illegal, are located in the flood-ravaged central provinces, which
have been battered by severe floods this year.  The escaped reptiles are
likely to approach humans because they are used to being fed by farm
raisers, according to Fisheries Department director-general Charanthada
Kannasut.The director-general suggested that villagers not walk or travel by
boat in flooded areas at night in order to avoid from being attacked by
hungry crocodiles. The difficulty in seeing crocodiles, though, is that
their nose and eyes are visible only slightly above water, he said. At night
they might not be noticed at all. Members of the public who see crocodiles
at large should inform the authorities immediately, Mr. Charanthada
advised.Crocodiles raised by legal farms have been moved to safe areas from
the floods which are now ravaging several of Thailand's central provinces
but the public, especially residents living near waterways, should be on
alert for crocodiles that have escaped from illegal reptile farms, Mr.
Charanthada said.  Mr. Charanthada said that crocodiles from legal farms
have been relocated and are now being kept in safe areas. Meanwhile, he
warned, an undetermined number of crocodiles from unregistered crocodile
farms have escaped from inundated farms and are still roaming free in canals
and rivers. (TNA)  - E 111
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