Been a while, crocodile. What you need to know about rare reptile sightings in Hong Kong

The discovery of a four-year-old female Siamese crocodile in Hong Kong’s New Territories has captured residents’ curiosity, with reported sightings of such reptiles only being recorded on four other occasions in the past two decades.

The crocodile, measuring 1.9 metres (6.2 feet) in length and weight 35kg (77 pounds), is temporarily staying at a quarantine facility at the city’s Ocean Park, where authorities are examining the reptile.

While experts have said sightings of such reptiles are rare in Hong Kong, they noted the city is a top importer of Siamese crocodile meat.

The Post unpacks all you need to know about crocodiles and rare sightings of them in the city.

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1. What is a Siamese crocodile?

Siamese crocodiles are carnivorous reptiles that live in freshwater areas.

Capable of growing up to 4 metres in length and a weight of 80kg, the reptiles are considered medium-sized among the wider family of the 24 recognised species of extant crocodilians.

The species is considered critically endangered in the wild due to poaching, with only an estimated 500 to 1,000 wild Siamese crocodiles in existence around the world.

They are also one of three such species, alongside the saltwater crocodile and the common caiman, that are raised in captivity for their meat and leather.

2. How rare are crocodiles found in Hong Kong?

Crocodiles have rarely been seen in the city, with the area not considered part of their natural habitat.

In the past two decades, Hong Kong has only recorded five crocodile sightings.

In 2003, a 1.75-metre saltwater crocodile was caught in the Yuen Long’s Shan Pui River after a seven-month hunt. The reptile, named Pui Pui, in 2006 was moved to a 72 sq m (775 sq ft) open-air aquarium in Wetland Park.

The city discovered two Siamese crocodiles in Tai Po in 2012 and Yuen Long in 2014, with both believed to have been smuggled to Hong Kong as pets and later abandoned.

Both reptiles were rescued by Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden, before later being moved to Singapore Zoo in 2017.

The most recent sighting before Sunday was the discovery of an infant Siamese crocodile some 35cm in length at Bride’s Pool in the northeastern New Territories in 2019. The reptile was later sent to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department’s animal management centre in Pok Fu Lam.

3. What are key characteristics of Siamese and saltwater crocodiles?

Crocodiles are capable of going up to a year without eating due to being poikilothermic, or cold-blooded.

Victor Wong Long-yin, of the Hong Kong Society of Herpetology Foundation, said the reptiles had a general diet and “eat whatever fits in their mouths”, including mammals, birds, fish and invertebrates.

The Siamese crocodile is native to Southeast Asia countries, such as Indonesia, Thailand and Cambodia, while its larger saltwater relatives can be found in the same region, as well as across east India, Micronesia and northern Australia.

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While the longest possible lifespan of a Siamese crocodile is currently unclear, the discovery of a 3.2-metre carcass weighing 100kg in Vietnam’s Ea Lam Lake in October 2012 suggested they could live nearly 100 years.

Meanwhile, saltwater crocodiles are currently the largest reptiles on the planet and can easily live past a century, with the oldest recorded specimen, located at Australia Zoo in Queensland, dying at the age of 140 in 2010.

4. Is it legal to import live crocodiles into Hong Kong?

According to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, residents require a licence to import, export, re-export or possess a crocodile, whether living, dead, in parts or derivatives.

Under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, offenders can receive up to 10 years in jail and a HK$10 million (US$1.2 million) fine.

5. What kinds of derivative products can you find in Hong Kong?

In Hong Kong, dried crocodile meat is used in some soups believed to offer health benefits.

Sam Inglis, a wildlife programme manager at environment group ADM Capital Foundation, said Hong Kong was “the leading importer of Siamese crocodile meat in the world”.

Traditional Chinese medical practitioner Chan Man-hon said dried crocodile meat could help to stop coughs, but was rarely prescribed.

“It can supplement the body with its benefits. It’s usually useful for ‘weak’ coughs, such as those experienced by the elderly, children and the chronically ill,” he said.

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Most of the city’s crocodile meat comes from Thailand, with small quantities also imported from Vietnam.

According to data from the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, Hong Kong in 2021 imported 138,998kg of crocodile meat, all from Thailand.

In 2020 and 2019, the amount of crocodile meat imported from the country was 278,420kg and 208,789kg, respectively.

The city in 2019 also brought in 2,900kg of crocodile meat from Vietnam.

According to the convention, Hong Kong also imports crocodile skins, leather products, specimens and jewellery products.