In a tragic turn of events, a crocodile farm in northern Thailand was forced to cull 125 Siamese crocodiles due to severe flooding. The farm, owned by Natthapak Khumkad, faced significant damage to its enclosures from heavy monsoon rains, raising fears that the three-meter-long reptiles could escape and pose a threat to nearby communities.
The relentless rains, which have caused deadly floods and landslides across the region, eroded the farm’s walls, leaving Natthapak with no choice but to euthanize the crocodiles. “We’ve had them for 17 years, but the risk was too great,” he explained.
Despite efforts to find a temporary shelter for the crocodiles, government officials declined due to the animals’ large size. Photos shared by Natthapak on social media showed the grim process of removing the crocodiles from the farm.
Siamese crocodiles are critically endangered in the wild, though they are commonly bred in captivity for their valuable skins.
Patarapol Maneeorn, a veterinarian with Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, acknowledged the difficult decision but suggested that alternative measures could be explored in future disasters. “This situation highlights the need for better strategies to manage dangerous animals during natural calamities,” he said.
