75 crocodiles escape from Chinese breeding farm during flood – with villagers told to hide in their homes
75 crocodiles escape from Chinese farm during floods – villagers told to hide in their homes
- 75 crocodiles have escaped from their breeding farm in southern China
- 69 adults and six babies went out when their lake flooded
- Only eight have been captured so far and the rest remain at large
According to Chinese authorities, 75 crocodiles have escaped from their breeding farm in Maoming, Guangdong province: 69 adults and six babies.
The crocodiles fled when their lake overflowed due to flooding caused by Typhoon Haikui, following a rainstorm in the area last weekend.
Typhoon Haikui tore through South Asia last week, hitting China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Japan.
The extreme weather has now been downgraded to a tropical storm, responsible for landslides and severe flooding.
Although the heavy rains in southern China have subsided and the worst is thought to be over, the escaped reptiles pose a new danger to the area’s residents.
75 crocodiles have escaped from their breeding farm in Maoming, Guangdong province – 69 adults and six babies
Villagers in the area have been told to stay at home, especially away from rivers and lakes, as most crocodiles remain at large.
Chinese state media has reported that only eight have been found so far.
Some of the people found have been recaptured, while others have been shot or electrocuted ‘for security reasons’. the BBC reported.
State-run newspaper Dazhong Daily explained that the district’s emergency management bureau said authorities were “trying to keep things under control, but the number of escaped crocodiles is a little too many.”
There are no casualties and emergency services have used sonar equipment to locate the missing crocodiles.
Videos circulating on Chinese social media show the crocodiles swimming in the floodwaters, with some videos clearly showing signs reading “To Maoming.” reports NBC News.
Maoming has been lashed by heavy rains over the past two weeks as extreme weather has caused chaos across southern China.
Clips show rescuers pulling people to safety from the flood, while other videos reportedly show members of the emergency response force wearing high-vis vests as they search for the reptiles.
Maoming has been lashed by heavy rains over the past two weeks, while typhoons have caused chaos across southern China
Crocodile meat is a delicacy in Maoming, and Guangdong province is home to many large farms.
The escaped reptiles are reportedly Siamese crocodiles, freshwater crocodiles native to Asia.
The creatures are about three meters long and are considered medium-sized.
The Crocodiles of the World website says they are critically endangered with fewer than 1,000 adults left in the wild.