“Welcome to Jurassic Park.”
This catchy line from movie history could very well become the new slogan for Baiyun District, after a nearly 2-meter-long crocodile was captured near Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport on September 3.
According to a Guangdong TV report, the reptilian was spotted during daylight hours in the Baiyun section of the Liuxi River. The sharp-eyed croc spotter quickly notified the Baiyun unit of the Guangdong Fishery Administration and the prehistoric creature was captured later that night.
Staff at the Guangdong Fishery Administration told reporters that, after locating the crocodile, responders shined a flashlight at the animal’s eyes, which “froze” the reptile. Next, they captured the animal with the help of crocodile breeding professionals using “electric shocks.”
Image via 163.com
The reptile was successfully restrained at around 9pm and was found to weigh 23.5 kilograms and have a body length of 1.84 meters. The next day, the animal – which is speculated to be a Siamese crocodile – was taken to the Guangzhou Wild Aquatic Animals Help Center.
Image via 163.com
Zhou Chengwu, team leader of the Guangdong Fishery Administration’s Baiyun unit, suspects that the exotic animal was released into the river. Zhou reminded “good-hearted individuals” of the havoc that non-native animals can have on local ecosystems.
A crocodile sighting on the same section of river was reported back in June, but a three-day search ended without finding it. It is unknown if the captured reptile is the same crocodile spotted in June, or whether there are more crocodiles dwelling in the Baiyun section of the Liuxi River, which originates in Guangzhou’s Conghua District.
The crocodile's appearance in the river is under further investigation.
READ MORE: 7 of South China's Most Dangerous Animals
[Cover image via Wikimedia]
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