On the evening of September 9, Facebook posted images of two crocodiles (described as weighing over 100kg) escaping from their cages and swimming in muddy floodwaters in Yen Bai city.
Attached is a photo of a notification via Zalo with the content: "Currently, Crocodile Lake in Nam Cuong ward has 2 crocodiles. Parents, please be careful not to let your children near the lake area."
Although the image looks like it has been edited, the information still makes many people very worried in the context of storm No. 3 that has pushed more than 3,700 households in Yen Bai city into deep flooding. Some places have lost power and lives...
According to the investigation of Lao Dong Newspaper reporters, the two crocodiles mentioned above belong to Mr. Bui Duc Thien, residing in Nam Tho village, Nam Cuong ward, Yen Bai city.
When he bought the farm, he took over two crocodiles from the previous owner and has kept them as pets ever since. Each individual now weighs about 120kg.
"Normally they stay in cages. Surrounded by very sturdy brick walls and on top is a steel fence, locked very tightly," Mr. Thien described.
However, according to Mr. Thien, when the floodwaters flooded the farm and also flooded the entire cage, he was very worried about whether the two crocodiles could escape or not.
"I'm not sure if they escaped or maybe they drowned. Yesterday afternoon (September 9), I proactively went to the authorities to report with the hope that everyone would have clear information and thus raise their vigilance," said Mr. Thien.
Regarding the above incident, the leader of the People's Committee of Nam Cuong Ward, Yen Bai City said - the authorities have received information that "the crocodile escaped" due to the flood.
“In the ward, Mr. Thien’s family (in Dam Sau area) raises 2 crocodiles, each weighing more than 100kg. Normally, Mr. Thien’s crocodile farming area is surrounded by a tight net. After the flooding occurred, Mr. Thien proactively reported to the authorities that he did not see the 2 crocodiles. It is unclear whether they were still in the cage (currently the water is rising) or had escaped,” he said.
After receiving the information, Nam Cuong ward reported to Yen Bai City People's Committee and warned people to take precautions.
