Wild Crocodiles surface in Khao Yai

Pha Khluaymai hill and a portion of Lam Takhong creek in Khao Yai National park in Nakhon Ratchasima have been closed temporarily after a report of two large crocodiles sighted.


Photo by Steve, Tanja & Leon @ Flickr

Two teams of forest rangers have been dispatched in both closed areas to look out for the two reptiles, which are identical and thought to be of a freshwater species, and hunt them down, the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation said yesterday.

Park director Manote Karnphanakngarn said ten warning signs had been erected and four rangers stationed in the both areas to warn tourists abou the crocodiles. There are two crocodiles sighted in the park since 2007 with no reported attacks on humans.

Wellknown government veterinarian Parnthep Rattanakorn said he was convinced that the two crocodiles found in the park were pets let loose accidentally or on purpose, as it was impossible in an animal migration theory that freshwater crocodiles could live in a habitat like the Khao Yai national park.



He expressed worry that the existence of freshwater crocodiles could have generated an ecological impact to the park, in addition to a possibilty that they had already produced offsprings, or could attack humans while not yet caught.

More Khao Yai Crocodile photos @ taklong.com