Kampong Chhnang: A crocodile has been caught by villagers in Kampong Chhnang’s Boeung Roong behind Wat Tuol Vihear. 19-year-old Phorn Phearum from Koh Lot Village in the Chulkri district’s Koh Thkov commune, says he caught the crocodile while looking for frogs with his father on Sunday night. He saw two crocodiles but one was in much deeper water. It’s believed they escaped from a breeding farm upriver. The caught croc is now in a cage, while villagers wait for advice as to what to do with it.

According to reports from people living in the area, more than 10 crocodiles have been caught in recent months, raising fears of what is lurking in swollen rivers during the rainy season. Villagers have asked local authorities to search for the owner of the crocodiles to prevent them leaving breeding farms amid rising water levels.

Koh Thkov commune chief, Chen Phanna, has confirmed the story. He says the crocodile appears to be female and recently laid eggs. He says villagers have been spotting egg shells and have gathered at least five others in recent days. While he investigates, Chen Phanna has called on residents to be extremely careful and not let their children play in rivers until the source of the crocodiles has been identified.