Injured juvenile crocodile rescued from Sham Shui Po residential building

An injured juvenile crocodile was rescued from a residential building in Sham Shui Po on Wednesday by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA). Police were alerted around 12:30 p.m. to the presence of the metre-long reptile on the balcony of a Tai Po Road building.

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The crocodile appeared to have a suspected leg injury.

The SPCA team located the crocodile hiding inside the flat and successfully captured it using a snare pole and net. The animal appeared to have a suspected leg injury. Although initially on-site pending handover to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), the SPCA decided to transfer the crocodile to its Tsing Yi Centre for further examination and care due to its condition.

Veterinary staff at the SPCA conducted an X-ray and initial examination. The crocodile, measuring just over one metre in length, is believed to be a juvenile hybrid of a Siamese crocodile and a saltwater crocodile. The SPCA emphasized that crocodiles are dangerous wild animals, and private ownership is both risky and illegal.

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The crocodile is relatively small, measuring just over one metre in length, and is believed to be a juvenile hybrid of a Siamese crocodile and a saltwater crocodile.

Authorities are urging Hong Kong residents to report any such cases to the police. Keeping a protected exotic species without the proper permits can lead to severe penalties, including a 10-year prison sentence and fines of up to HK$10 million.

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crocodiles are dangerous, wild animals and keeping one privately is a risk and also illegal.