A crocodile measuring just over 1 meter long was discovered in a residential building in one of Hong Kong’s most densely populated communities on Wednesday, and in a follow-up police operation, a woman was arrested after allegedly failing to produce valid permits for, or to explain the sources of, various wild animals found in her apartment.
The crocodile was discovered on a balcony in Sham Shui Po and was initially reported as being a “large green lizard” by a resident surnamed Hui, according to local media. Hui said he heard a loud noise from the balcony the previous evening but did not investigate until the next morning, when he spotted the reptile hiding among miscellaneous items.
Police officers and staff from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) were dispatched to the scene. The animal, which was later confirmed to be a young crocodile, was captured after a brief struggle and sent to the SPCA’s Tsing Yi center for medical examination and care. According to the SPCA, the reptile is believed to be a juvenile hybrid Siamese-saltwater crocodile, and one of its limbs is thought to be injured. It is now in a stable condition, local media reported.
In a follow-up operation in the early hours of Thursday, police and officers from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) entered a nearby flat in the same street and seized at least 30 reptiles, including turtles, snakes and lizards, some of which are believed to be endangered species subject to licensing controls.
According to local Chinese media, the 35-year-old woman, surnamed Chung, was arrested for keeping and breeding the regulated animals without a legal permit and for failing to explain the source of the animals.
Investigators believe the crocodile originated from the flat where the reptiles were found and may have fallen from a higher floor before landing on the first-floor balcony where it was discovered. Building security staff said they had been unaware that a crocodile was being kept on the premises.
Under Hong Kong’s Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, possession of such species without a valid license or exemption is illegal.
The incident has drawn comparisons with the widely reported female crocodile “Pui Pui”, which was found in a local waterway in 2003 and captured in 2004. The animal, believed to have been abandoned as a pet, triggered a citywide search before being captured and was subsequently moved permanently to the Hong Kong Wetland Park in 2006, prompting public debate over the regulation of exotic pets.
Animal welfare groups reiterated that crocodiles are inherently dangerous wild animals and unsuitable as pets. Even juvenile individuals can pose serious risks as they grow. Members of the public are advised to keep a safe distance and report any suspected cases of wild animals being kept illegally or of injured wild animals to the authorities.
Contact the writer at jessicachen@chinadailyhk.com
