23 Jun, 2021
The rain lasted for three hours early this morning in the Klongyai district which caused a flash flood from the Banthat mountain range to small villages in the Klong Yai area.
Dozens of crocodiles got out of a crocodile farm by swimming through a flooded ditch near the area. Locals spotted some of them wandering around local roads and villages before they told the farm owner Mr. Pirom Kannak.
Meanwhile, rescue workers were notified about one injured crocodile that was found after being hit by a car and was brought to a veterinarian for medical assistance.
At least twenty of the crocodiles were caught and were taken back to the farm which took about three hours. However, 21 of them are still on the loose as of this evening and local residents were asked to be aware of the situation as the search continued.
Mr. Pirom told the associated local press, “These crocodiles were set to be sent to a larger farm in the Bangkok area but due to Covid-19 restrictions, the farm in Bangkok has not come to pick them up yet, citing closure measures.”
“These crocodiles are being sold for 10,000 baht to 20,000 baht each to the larger farm in Bangkok and are very valuable to me and my farm.” Mr. Pirom stated.
The search for the missing crocodiles is set to continue this evening with professional animal handlers, according to Mr. Pirom.
