Hong Kong crocodile 'stressed'

The crocodile is waiting to move into its new home

Hong Kong's celebrity crocodile is refusing to eat following its capture after seven months on the run.

A crocodile expert said "Croc Croc Chan", also known as Gucci, was probably stressed by its ordeal.

However, the crocodile has some luxury accommodation to look forward to. It is set to move to an enclosure the size of a small Hong Kong apartment.

"She'll have a bigger bedroom than most people I know," said Idy Wong of Kaddorie Farm, which runs the centre.

The 1.5m (5ft)-long reptile won notoriety by outfoxing a succession of hunters from Australia and China before it finally strayed into one of several traps earlier this week.

Crocodiles are not native to Hong Kong; this specimen is believed to have begun life in a home or on a farm.

The crocodile will now be kept in quarantine in a wildlife care centre.

Ms Wong said its enclosure will measure about 200 square feet (18 square metres).

"The croc is probably feeling stressful and uncomfortable because of a sudden change in the environment," she said.

She said the crocodile may be off its food for a day or two.

After a good feed, the animals are able to go for long periods without eating.

The crocodile had defied the best efforts of a succession of hunters, even experienced crocodile hunter John Lever, to capture it.

HONG KONG WATERWAYS

Experts say the salt water crocodile could grow to a length of eight metres (26 ft). The species to which it belongs has a record of attacks on humans.

It is thought the reptile may have been a pet set free when it grew too big - or an escapee from a crocodile farm in neighbouring China.

What should happen to the crocodile? Send us your comments using the form below.

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Your comments

He should be kept in a safe enclosed area, with other crocodiles like him.
Harry Underwood, Tokyo, Japan

A huge crocodile sandwich and make it snappy!
Chris James, Phuket, Thailand

I think the crocodile should be slaughtered and the meat sold in an auction to the top restaurant. Crocodile meat is absolutely delicious!! The money should then be used to help the poor and needy in the city.
Jason Jeffery, Thatcham, UK

Set it free again, it was good for tourism!
Andi, Sofia, Bulgaria

Handbags at dawn.
KK Lee, HK

A nice pair of shoes, and a crocodile skin belt will do nicely!
James, Norwich

The crocodile should either be released back into the wild, in a place where crocodiles are native, or, perhaps a really good wildlife park that specialises in crocodiles - such as Australia Zoo run by Steve Irwin.
Mary, Bristol

Let it retire in the swimming pool in Government House.
George, London

I think the croc should be set free in the Big Brother house and the housemates given the task of capturing the animal. Would make interesting viewing.
Roy Butterscotch, Cardiff, Wales

I believe that Croc Croc Chan should be sent to a zoo that is capable of looking after him, or set free in a part of the world that would suit him. He is now a celebrity after all and killing him would be tragic.
Wesley Mason, Maidstone, England

The crocodile should be transferred to a well-kept zoo where its widely known recent adventure would become a tourist attraction in itself.
Ariel Daliot, Jerusalem, Israel

Nothing....until it has cast its postal vote.
Peter Kao, Huntingdon , Cambridgeshire

A suitcase. And if there is anything left maybe a matching purse and pair of boots....
Steve H, Stratford upon Avon

Such an intelligent croc shouldn't be killed. The authorities should send it to an Australian croc farm.
Rafeh, Edinburgh, Scotland

It will probably end up being used for Chinese herbal remedies!!!
Rebecca, Wales

The Croc should be made into some of those cheap, fake handbags you see in the street-markets in Kowloon!
Neil, London, England

One word - Boots!
Jack, London, UK

Keep and culture it. Find a mate for it so that they multiply.
Lordwin Mlongoti, Kitwe, Zambia

Make a nice handbag and matching shoes - perfect for materialistic Hong Kong socialites.
Mark, Hong Kong

The crocodile should be released in its natural habitat.
Kamran Ezdi, Lahore, Pakistan

A nice pair of ridiculous shoes, with matching handbag and belt would be lovely!
Victoria, Portugal

Put it back into captivity or some sort of reserve where it and citizens will be safe from harm.
Richard Telford, Newcastle, UK

I believe the usual procedure in Hong Kong is to award it a passport and amnesty, and then revoke them 3 weeks from now, once the deportation papers are ready.
Mark, Auckland, New Zealand

Let him/her go free in the wild where it belongs.
W.Cowell, Hove UK

The crocodile should be given a home at Hong Kong's Ocean Park, which has the space and expertise to look after it, and where it would help to attract more visitors.
Rod Parkes, Hong Kong

I think the crocodile should be sent to a zoo in China, where it can retire gracefully from public life.
Ian, UK

Put it back in the Hong Kong Canals.
Jack, Manchester, England

As a celebrity with more charisma than most, a move into films is inevitable. Can we get Paul Hogan to dust off his hat to co-star in "Crocodile Dundee III : Escape to London"?
David Thomson, London

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