The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals rescued an injured juvenile crocodile found in a Sham Shui Po apartment building on Wednesday.
Police were contacted at around 12.30pm about the 1m long reptile, which was seen on the balcony of a building on Tai Po Road. according to to the NGO.
Police then contacted the SPCA, who said on Facebook that their team saw the crocodile hiding in the flat and captured it with a spear and net.
“The crocodile appeared to have a suspected leg injury. While the SPCA had initially remained on site pending handover to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), due to the animal’s condition and welfare needs, we decided to transfer it to the SPCA Tsing Yi Center for further examination and care. AFCD,” the NGO said.
They added that the SPCA’s veterinary team carried out an X-ray and initial examination: “The crocodile is relatively small, just over a meter in length, and is believed to be a juvenile hybrid of a Siamese crocodile and a saltwater crocodile.”
They warned that crocodiles are dangerous, wild animals and keeping them privately is a risk and also illegal. He called on Hong Kong residents to report such cases to the police.
Keeping a protected exotic species without proper permits can carry a 10-year prison sentence and fines of up to HK$10 million.
