My Operanews
Friday, November 16, 2007 1:37:50 PM
Crocodiles escape in Vietnam
Severe floods in parts of Vietnam have killed several hundred people and caused widespread damage. But now there is a new problem to contend with, after hundreds of crocodiles escaped from a farm when the floods destroyed their cages. This report from Steve Jackson:
Listen to the story
The state owned Yang Bay farm in central Vietnam was home to around five-thousand crocodiles, until flash floods destroyed their cages at the weekend. The authorities don't know exactly how many of the reptiles escaped but they believe several hundred are on the loose.
Soldiers, forest rangers and villagers have been trying to track them down. Only eight crocodiles have been recaptured so far and three more shot dead. The first to be killed weighed two-hundred kilograms and took eight people to carry it away. Many of the escaped crocodiles are thought to have taken up residence in a nearby lake, and officials have warned people to be extremely careful and not to go swimming.
Crocodiles are farmed in Vietnam for meat and their skin which is still used to make handbags. The manager of the farm says he fears some local people will try to catch them so they can sell the leather. The floods - caused by a series of typhoons - have caused widespread damage in northern and central Vietnam, killing around two-hundred people since the start of October.
Steve Jackson, BBC
Listen to the words
flash floods
sudden heavy rain and rising water
escaped
got away, fled
on the loose
free
forest rangers
people who look after parks and natural areas
to track them down
to find them
recaptured
put back into cages
taken up residence
started living
farmed
bred, raised (here)
leather
dried animal skin
widespread damage
great destruction
Severe floods in parts of Vietnam have killed several hundred people and caused widespread damage. But now there is a new problem to contend with, after hundreds of crocodiles escaped from a farm when the floods destroyed their cages. This report from Steve Jackson:
Listen to the story
The state owned Yang Bay farm in central Vietnam was home to around five-thousand crocodiles, until flash floods destroyed their cages at the weekend. The authorities don't know exactly how many of the reptiles escaped but they believe several hundred are on the loose.
Soldiers, forest rangers and villagers have been trying to track them down. Only eight crocodiles have been recaptured so far and three more shot dead. The first to be killed weighed two-hundred kilograms and took eight people to carry it away. Many of the escaped crocodiles are thought to have taken up residence in a nearby lake, and officials have warned people to be extremely careful and not to go swimming.
Crocodiles are farmed in Vietnam for meat and their skin which is still used to make handbags. The manager of the farm says he fears some local people will try to catch them so they can sell the leather. The floods - caused by a series of typhoons - have caused widespread damage in northern and central Vietnam, killing around two-hundred people since the start of October.
Steve Jackson, BBC
Listen to the words
flash floods
sudden heavy rain and rising water
escaped
got away, fled
on the loose
free
forest rangers
people who look after parks and natural areas
to track them down
to find them
recaptured
put back into cages
taken up residence
started living
farmed
bred, raised (here)
leather
dried animal skin
widespread damage
great destruction
