Thai farm clears 125 crocodiles due to rising water levels

Siamese crocodiles are critically endangered in the wild, but are bred in many places in Thailand for their skin. (Wikipedia photo)

BANGKOK: A crocodile farm in Thailand has shot 125 reptiles over fears they could escape during ongoing flooding and endanger human lives, the owner said on Wednesday.

Heavy monsoon rains swept across northern Thailand this month, causing flooding and landslides that killed more than 20 people.

Days of heavy rain in the northern province of Lamphun damaged the fences of Natthapak Khumkad’s farm, raising the risk that his herd of 10-foot-long Siamese crocodiles could escape and roam the countryside, hunting villagers and livestock.

“The rain caused erosion of the farm walls, so unfortunately we had to kill all 125 crocodiles,” he told AFP.

“We’ve had them for 17 years.”

Natthapak said he and his workers electrocuted the animals.

Photos on his personal Facebook account show an excavator being used to remove three large crocodiles.

Siamese crocodiles are critically endangered in the wild, but are farmed in many parts of Thailand for their skin.

Patarapol Maneoorn, a veterinarian with Thailand’s Department of Wildlife and Plant Conservation National Parks, said he understood the owner’s decision but that the crocodiles could have been moved to another area unaffected by the flooding.

However, Natthapak said he had previously approached the government to find temporary shelter for the reptiles, but his request was rejected due to their large size.

“This could be a lesson on how to deal with dangerous animals during natural disasters,” Patarapol told AFP.