Some dubbed the wily crocodile "Gucci" - but its fate will not be to end up as an expensive woman's handbag.

The elusive lizard was ensnared yesterday in a cleverly designed trap.

But the celebrity crocodile, who has grown noticeably larger during seven months spent outwitting its foes, can look forward to greener pastures - leaving a marsh to snap up a better diet under the care of the Kadoorie Farm.

The elusive Yuen Long reptile became world famous while being pursued by veteran hunters - including a "Crocodile Dundee" veteran from Australia.

The saltwater crocodile was caught yesterday morning in a specially designed trap set up by officers from the Agricultural and Fisheries Conservation Department.

"With patience, persistence and a little bit of luck, we have caught this crocodile with a set of snares set up by the department a couple of weeks ago," a spokesman said yesterday.

After being caught in a barb-wire trap while swimming in a marsh, the crafty crocodile's fate was sealed by a fishermen's net.

A local fisherman, identified as Ng, said he spotted the crocodile in the trap at about 9 am, and threw a net on it.

"We have maintained confidence in catching the crocodile during the past six months," said the conservation department spokesman.

The crocodile was examined at the department's Animal Management Centre.

The reptile will be transferred to a Hong Kong wetland park when the facilities are complete by the end of next year.

Since its first sighting in a Yuen Long creek, in late October last year, it has turned the district into a new tourist attraction.

The crocodile has evaded traps set by the department and ambush attempts by experts called in from Australia and the mainland.

A reported HK$200,000 has been spent on the hunt for the cunning reptile, including new traps and round-the-clock surveillance.

It is still a mystery where the reptile came from since Hong Kong has no indigenous crocodiles.

Some speculated that it was a pet or escaped from a mainland farm.

(HK Edition 06/11/2004 page2)