Hong Kong Crocodile Eludes Expert Hunter

Hoping to finally nab a wily crocodile that’s evaded capture for two weeks, an Australian croc expert set a new trap baited with dead mice, chicken heads and pieces of fatty pork.

The 1.2-meter (4-foot) reptile has attained celebrity status by thwarting attempts to catch it with tranquilizer darts, traps and a harpoon. It remained at large Wednesday, after crocodile expert John Lever’s latest hunt ended in the wee hours without even a sighting.

Before coming to Hong Kong, Lever had been quoted as saying he would just “walk in and grab” the animal – but he’s failed since late last week, and has begun calling the small beast one of the biggest challenges of his croc-hunting career.

“It’s turning into the most difficult one,” said Lever – who reportedly learned his craft from crocodile-worshiping tribes in Papua New Guinea.

Lever on Wednesday set a special trap with a sensitive trigger in the murky creek where the crocodile was sighted on Nov. 2.

The crocodile is the first ever sighted in the wild in Hong Kong. Experts speculate it might be a former pet, or may have escaped from a mainland Chinese farm.

Hong Kong officials – with no experience in croc hunting – tried to catch it without success. Lever flew in late last week to try his luck.

Lever, of Queensland state, got close to the crocodile on Monday, but his boat brushed against grass where it was hiding, sending it plunging under water.

Lever said the croc may have swum to another part of the creek in the suburban New Territories. He pledged to keep trying to catch it.

Hong Kong news media have reveled in the story, running countless photos of the croc.