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Danny Mok

An injured 1.5-metre-long (five feet) juvenile crocodile has been found in a Hong Kong residential building, prompting a rescue operation by an animal concern group.
At about 1pm on Wednesday, police alerted the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) that a member of the public had reported spotting the reptile at a residential block on Tai Po Road in Sham Shui Po.
It was later confirmed to be a juvenile hybrid of a Siamese crocodile and a saltwater crocodile.
The SPCA said personnel equipped with rescue gear rushed to the scene, where they discovered the crocodile hiding beneath some clutter on a platform connected to a flat.
The team captured the animal using a snare pole and long net. It was suspected to have a leg injury.
A 66‑year‑old man told police he heard a noise from a balcony at about 9pm on Tuesday but did not pay attention. At around 11am on Wednesday, he discovered a green reptile there, a police source said.
The animal was taken to the SPCA’s Tsing Yi centre for care. A preliminary examination and X-ray assessment were conducted.
The SPCA warned that crocodiles were dangerous wild animals and private ownership was not only hazardous but could also be illegal. Even juvenile specimens could pose serious risks to people and other animals as they grew, it added.
It urged the public not to keep crocodiles or other dangerous wildlife as pets. The SPCA said the reptile was later handed over to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department.
The department said a preliminary examination found the crocodile to be about 1.5 metres long and its exact species remained to be confirmed. It also said it would conduct further investigations into the source of the reptile.
A police spokesman said the owner had not yet been located.


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The juvenile is a hybrid of Siamese crocodile and a saltwater crocodile. Photo: SPCA

The reptile is about one metre long. Photo: Handout

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The 1.9-metre-long Siamese crocodile caught on Sunday is currently staying at Ocean Park’s quarantine facility. Photo: Handout

Saltwater crocodile Pui Pui is residing in the Hong Kong Wetland Park in Tin Shui Wan. Photo: Jelly Tse

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Member of the public spotted 1.5-metre reptile at a residential block in Sham Shui Po and called police


Member of the public spotted 1.5-metre reptile at a residential block in Sham Shui Po and called police.


Rescuers snap into action after crocodile found in Hong Kong building

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Member of the public spotted 1.5-metre reptile at a residential block in Sham Shui Po and called police

Member of the public spotted 1.5-metre reptile at a residential block in Sham Shui Po and called police