Over half of escaped crocodiles captured in Guangdong

In the aftermath of the large-scale escape of crocodiles from a flooded farm in Maonan district, Maoming city, Guangdong province, authorities have successfully managed to capture 36 of the dangerous reptiles.

Although 36 of the 70 runaway crocodiles have been caught as of Thursday morning, personnel from local departments of agricultural and rural affairs, public security and fire protection are using at least eight water pump vehicles to help pump out the flood water from local flooded lakes, ponds and fields to look for the escaped crocodiles to ensure the safety of local residents.

The crocodiles at large still pose a threat to local villagers, authorities said.

Meanwhile, authorities have set up 51 lookout posts around the farm from where the crocodiles ran away, and nearly 1,000 personnel, including armed police, fire fighters and civil militias, are being sent to patrol along local lakes, ponds and fields to help search for the animals 24 hours a day, said a statement released by Maonan district government on Wednesday.

No deaths or injuries have been reported so far, it said.

A total of 70 crocodiles were reported to have escaped from the farm when downpours caused by Typhoon Haikui's remnants hit the city earlier this week.

The crocodiles that escaped from the farm in the district's Beijieluo village belong to siamese crocodiles and each adult crocodile weighs about 100 kilograms, said the statement. The village is reported to be one of the major crocodile breeding bases in the city.

After receiving the report of crocodiles' escape, local authorities immediately organized relevant personnel to use wire mesh to enclose the crevasse of the farm to prevent crocodiles from escaping again within the farm.

And district government, neighborhood and village committees have increased publicity and urged villagers near the farm to take precautions and keep away from the farm and nearby lakes and ponds.

Residents in nearby villages have also been urged to limit their time outdoors, avoid fishing and seek police help when they found the escaped crocodiles, until all the escaped have been retrieved.