A crocodile at large Photo: Screenshot from CCTV

Due to heavy rainfall, the outer wall of a crocodile breeding farm in South China's Guangdong Province collapsed on May 4, causing the farm to flood and four crocodiles to escape from captivity. Local firefighters and emergency response teams quickly sprang into action to locate and secure the escaped animals.

On May 4, a thrilling incident happened in Younan village, Zhongshan city, Guangdong. According to the Southern Metropolis Daily, all four crocodiles that had ventured out of their breeding pool were successfully herded back into safety. 

The local agricultural department confirmed that the crocodile breeding farm at the farm in Younan had suffered damage to its perimeter walls due to erosion of heavy rainfall.

A local merchant, quoted by Chinese media outlet chengdu.cn, mentioned that the news of crocodiles escaping the farm had caused quite a stir in the community, as everyone stayed indoors due to the poor weather. The situation was quickly brought under control by local police, firefighters, and other authorities, ensuring that the crocodiles remained within the confines of the farm.

Fortunately, there were no reports of injuries resulting from the incident. 

The crocodile breeding farm, established in December 2014, is known for its large-scale operations in breeding and raising crocodiles. The farm is located in Shenwan town, Zhongshan, and falls under the fisheries industry, specializing in the breeding and reproduction of nationally protected aquatic wildlife.

In response to the severe weather conditions, the Zhongshan emergency management bureau, meteorological bureau, and other authorities issued a red alert for heavy rain in the region, including Shenwan town. The city's flood control headquarters also activated a level II emergency response system to ensure the safety of residents and mitigate the impact of the inclement weather.

As a precautionary measure, schools and childcare facilities in the affected areas were closed, and students were advised to stay home until local weather conditions improved. The local water resource department alerted the unprecedented rainfall and flooding events that have occurred in Guangdong since April, emphasizing the need for heightened vigilance and preparedness in the face of potential risks caused by the bad weather there.

Global Times