NParks Will Put Down Large 3-Metre Crocodile That Was Removed from East Coast Park

Do you eat crocodile meat? If you do, maybe you want to look out for the wild crocodiles in Singapore to see if you can score some free food.

We already have free-ranging chickens running around our parks and in town anyway.

Just kidding. Please do not harm the wildlife in Singapore.

But we indeed have wild crocodiles in Singapore.

One large crocodile, which spans almost 3 metres long, was spotted at a popular beach in Singapore.

It will be put down due to safety concerns.

Here is more about the crocodile.

Large 3M Long Crocodile Spotted in Singapore Waters

A saltwater crocodile was spotted in Singapore waters recently. More specifically, near East Coast Park.

Yes, that’s the same popular destination where people go to chill by the beach and play beach volleyball.

Of course, sighting such a large crocodile, which is almost 3 metres long, caused some alarm to the public.

It was caught by the National Parks Board (NParks) after being trapped by staff.

Crocodile Will Be Put Down Humanely for Human Safety

What will NParks do with such a big croc?

Sadly, it seems that Singapore has no space for such a big crocodile.

NParks shared that it plans to “humanely” put down the crocodile.

According to Mr How Choon Beng, who spoke to The Straits Times, there is some threat to public safety if the crocodile is allowed to roam around Singapore.

That’s why the decision was made to put down the crocodile.

For those unaware, Mr How is the director of wildlife management and outreach at NParks.

It Was First Spotted at Marina East Drive

While it seems unfortunate to have to put down a perfectly fine crocodile, Mr How also shared with The Straits Times that relocating it is insufficient to protect the public.

The crocodile may return to the location where it was captured.

Of course, the crocodile may move to other new locations or locations it previously visited.

Indeed, this crocodile seems to have a penchant for travelling, as it was first spotted at Marina East Drive before it was captured at East Coast Park.

For those curious, crocodiles generally hunt at night and eat fish, based on Mr How’s explanation to The Straits Times.

Of course, the decision to kill a crocodile didn’t sit well with some animal welfare groups.

So far, a scientific officer from the volunteer group Herpetological Society of Singapore has expressed its dissent with the decision to The Straits Times.

Mr Shivaram Rasu shared with the local paper that he hoped relocation would take place instead as the crocodile is a “locally critically endangered species” and is an “important cornerstone of the ecosystem it is part of” given its status as an apex predator.