SONGKHLA: Two crocodiles, one believed to be pregnant, were spotted swimming in a canal in Hat Yai district on Tuesday, sparking fear among local residents after two reptiles were earlier captured from another canal.
A clip taken by a member of Khiri Noi rescue team showed two crocodiles swimming in Khlong Khok Harn in tambon Nam Noi. The rescue team went to the canal after being alerted by local residents this morning.
The appearance of the 2-3 metre reptiles caused fear among the locals.
Local authorities were uncertain whether the crocodiles had escaped from a farm or were wild.
Relevant agencies were asked to send hunters to capture the two reptiles, one of whom appeared pregnant. Local residents were asked to show caution if they were near the canal.
On Friday, two crocodiles, one male and one female, were captured from Khlong Wa in Noppakao community, about 30km from the canal in Nam Noi. One was spotted sunbathing near the canal, and hunters found another. Both were captured.
Yukhol Hempundit, Hat Yai fisheries district office official, said the captured reptiles, each about 1.5 metres long, might be the offspring of crocodiles that escaped from a farm in Songkhla during major flooding in 2011.
