Beachgoers banned from swimming at Phuket beaches until crocodile is caught
Swimmers have been banned on all beaches in Phuket while the crocodile hunting operation is still in operation.
Phuket is preparing to announce urgent crocodile registration measures in order to keep track of all known crocodiles in the area in accordance with the Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act.
Governor Norraphat Plodthong says, “We are preparing to announce registration for all crocodiles in Phuket. Anyone who has a crocodile must register the reptile or else they will offending under Section 49 of the Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act.”
“Any person who possessing protected wildlife acquired by breeding or a carcass of protected wildlife acquired by breeding without permission, under Section 19, shall be liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year or a fine not exceeding 10,000 baht, or both.”
“We have checked all five crocodile farms in Phuket. No crocodile has been lost from those farms. We will have a better idea where the crocodile is from when we catch it.”
“The ‘best guess’ from everyone who has seen the crocodile, is that it’s about 1.5 metres long. It is not a big crocodile and not as fierce or dangerous as larger ones. As this crocodile is not from a crocodile farm, it might be from unregistered sources, from an area around Phang Nga Bay or someone might have released it.”
“Swimmers have been banned on every beach until the crocodile is caught. Anyone with any information about the crocodile or if they’ve seen it, please call 092 -2468366 , 081 8673664 for 24 hours.”
Phuket’s elusive west-coast crocodile was last seen last night (July 23) at Tri Trang Beach. Today, crocodile hunters are focussing their attention around the waters of Paradise and Patong Beach where the crocodile is believed to be heading.
Read more HERE.
Yesterday Daren Jenner from the International Surf Life Saving Association called for a ban for all swimmers until the crocodile was found.
