By Josie September 12th, 2023
In Maoming, China, heavy rains caused a local lake to overflow - causing more than 70 crocodiles to escape from a commercial farm.
The local authorities have urged the residents to stay indoors to avoid any encounters with the crocodiles.
People could spot these reptiles lurking near roads and residential areas, creating a state of emergency in the region.
The operation to recapture the crocodiles has been challenging due to the depth of the floodwaters and emergency forces are facing difficulty navigating the waters.
There is a possibility that some crocodiles will undergo euthanasia instead of capture, according to a member of the emergency squad.
Preceding the capture, they return the crocodiles to land with their mouths and limbs tied to restrict movement.
The recent incident sheds light on an unexpected yet true reality of climate change – increased interaction with dangerous wildlife.
As extreme weather events become more frequent, the likelihood of encounters with wildlife in urban areas escalates.
The incident underlines the potential dangers associated with commercial crocodile farms, especially in flood-prone areas.