Officials in a city in southern China are trying to catch more than 70 crocodiles that escaped from a farm during heavy flooding. The news has been reported by several state media outlets, and some residents have been told to stay inside.
The scary reptiles used to be kept at a crocodile farm in Maoming, in the south part of Guangdong province. However, a lot of rain caused a nearby lake to become too full, which allowed the animals to get out and be free.
According to a news report from Hai Bao News, there were about 69 grown-up crocodiles and six young ones near Peng Cun village. They were moving around and looking for things. The place said it talked to the nearby authorities who told people to stay inside and not go out.
A special team was sent out to find the crocodiles using special technology that uses sound waves, as reported by The Beijing News.
But the high level of the floodwater made it very difficult for the operation. This made the authorities ask residents to stay at home.
A person from the emergency team said they might have to kill the crocodiles instead of catching them.
The video on Chinese social media shows crocodiles hiding near a sign by a road that is underwater.
People in special uniforms and safety gear were on boats looking for reptiles.
Some videos show that some crocodiles were caught and taken to land. Their mouths and legs were tied to limit their movement. A few local people watched this happening from the shore out of curiosity.
In China, people really value crocodiles because they have nice skin and their meat is thought to be good for health in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Guangdong is a good place for raising crocodiles because it has a warmer weather compared to other areas.
Heavy rain has hit Southern China and Hong Kong after typhoon Haikui passed through the area last week.
Date:
Heavy flooding in southern China released more than 70 crocodiles
