• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

Hong Kong's Celebrity Croc Refuses Food

Posted on: Friday, 11 June 2004, 06:00 CDT

HONG KONG - Hong Kong's celebrity crocodile - snared after seven months on the run - is apparently stunned by its captivity and has refused to eat in the day since it was caught, a wildlife official said Friday.

The croc, first spotted in a muddy creek in November, gained star status here by avoiding persistent attempts at capture involving dart guns, harpoons and various traps set by expert crocodile hunters from across the region.

The reptile finally walked into a snare in the creek Thursday morning. It was later brought to an animal center where it seems frightened and has refused to eat, Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Thomas Chan told Commercial Radio.

Veterinarians plan to give the croc medicine instead, he said, without naming the treatment.

On Thursday, government vet Eric Tai said the reptile, estimated to be four years old, was healthy and had no apparent injuries.

Idy Wong, a spokeswoman for the Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden research institute, said crocs can skip meals for as long as six months if they have eaten a lot previously and have enough fat to burn.

"The croc is probably feeling stressful and uncomfortable because of a sudden change in the environment," Wong said. "It may not want to eat in a day or two but it'll be worrying if it refuses to eat in a long run."

Where the animal came from remains a mystery, although local media have speculated that it was an abandoned pet, or an escapee from a mainland Chinese crocodile farm. Hong Kong has no native crocodile species.

Authorities spent about $38,000 in their efforts to catch the croc, said government spokesman Donald Lam.

Though the croc was small - just 5 feet long and 31 pounds - officials had been concerned that it would grow and become a public danger. The saltwater species, native to Australia and Papua New Guinea, can grow up to 22 feet long and is known for its attacks on humans.

Even so, this rare visitor won the hearts of Hong Kong's urbanites, who are more likely to spot crocs on nature TV shows or as material for designer handbags and shoes. Some locals called it "Gucci" after the Italian designer brand, and one radio station named it "personality of the year."

Chan said officials were considering seeking help from the public in officially naming the croc, which will be transferred to its new home in a wetlands park next year.

More News in this Category