PHUKET: A crocodile which was spotted swimming close to numerous beaches of this resort island over the past 11 days was finally caught yesterday.
Rescuers prepare to take the crocodile, captured off Layan beach in Phuket, to the provincial fisheries research centre. Dept of Fisheries' Phuket office
The seafaring reptile was scooped up in a large trawl net off Layan beach in Thalang district around 4.30am yesterday by a team of hunters from Surat Thani province.
The crocodile is a female measuring about 2.5 metres in length. However, it was not clear whether the animal is a saltwater crocodile.
The crocodile was scanned for the presence of a microchip but none were found, so its origins are not clear. The crocodile will be taken to the Coastal Aquaculture Research and Development Regional Centre 5 for examination.
Authorities had initially assumed the reptile was illegally raised in a local farm as the presence of algae was noticed which indicated the animal had lived in stagnant water earlier.
The elusive crocodile was first sighted at Yanui beach in tambon Rawai of Muang district on July 18, kicking off a swimming ban and a massive hunt the following day.
Before it was caught yesterday at Layan beach, the reptile had been touring the Phuket coast, with sightings reported in Nai Han, Kata Noi, Karon, Trai Trang and Bang Thao beaches. It took 11 days to capture -- which is anything but a snap.
Phuket governor Norraphat Plodthong yesterday said that residents who owned crocodiles must register the animals with the Provincial Fisheries Office by Aug 10.
Those who fail to do so face a fine of 10,000 baht, a one year jail term, or both.
