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The Yuen Long crocodile captured by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) earlier this month was today (June 23) transferred to Kadoorie Farm & Botanic Garden (KFBG) from the department's animal management centre in Sheung Shui.
AFCD Assistant Director (Conservation) Mr Lay Chik-chuen said the transfer was in the best interest of the crocodile.
"KFBG can provide the crocodile with expert care before its permanent home in the Wetland Park is ready by the end of 2005," Mr Lay said.
Facilities in the KFBG compound, including the open-air enclosures, ponds, shelters and natural setting, are suitable for the healthy growth of this celebrity reptile which has become a well known and popular icon among the local public."
"We wish to express our gratitude to KFBG for its help in tending the reptile in the months ahead."
Mr Lay said the two sides would work together closely to monitor the reptile's adaptation to the new place and their vets would meet and exchange information whenever necessary.
KFBG will keep the reptile in quarantine for three months before moving it into one of its open-air enclosures.
The crocodile arrived at the KFBG compound in a bag this morning. The AFCD delivery team placed the bag on a stretcher to avoid any unnecessary trauma to the reptile.
The crocodile was captured by AFCD's conservation officers on June 10 after wandering into a trap laid by the department in Kam Tin River. Belonging to the Crocodylus porosus family, it is a four-year-old female. It is 1.5 metres long, weighing about 14 kilogram. (More information is provided in Annex.)
Ends/Wednesday, June 23, 2004
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