Injured juvenile crocodile rescued from Sham Shui Po residential building

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals rescued an injured juvenile crocodile found in a Sham Shui Po residential building on Wednesday.

The juvenile crocodile collected by the SPCA on Wednesday, June 24, 2026. Photo: SPCA.

Police were contacted at around 12:30pm about the metre-long reptile, which was spotted on the balcony of a building on Tai Po Road, according to the NGO.

The juvenile crocodile collected by the SPCA on Wednesday, June 24, 2026. Photo: SPCA.

The police then contacted the SPCA, who said on Facebook that their team spotted the crocodile hiding in the flat and captured it with a snare pole and net.

“The crocodile appeared to have a suspected leg injury. While the SPCA had initially remained on site pending handover to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), due to the animal’s condition and welfare needs, we decided to transfer it to the SPCA Tsing Yi Centre for further examination and care. The crocodile is currently at our Tsing Yi Centre awaiting arrangements for handover to AFCD,” the NGO said.

A juvenile crocodile was collected by the SPCA on Wednesday, June 24, 2026. Photo: SPCA.

They added that the SPCA veterinary team conducted an X-ray and initial examination: “The crocodile is relatively small, measuring just over one metre in length, and is believed to be a juvenile hybrid of a Siamese crocodile and a saltwater crocodile.”

They warned that crocodiles are dangerous, wild animals and keeping one privately is a risk and also illegal. It urged Hongkongers to report such cases to the police.

Keeping a protected exotic species without proper permits can attract a 10-year prison term and fines of up to HK$10 million.