Thailand temple uses crane to rescue 400kg crocodile from floods

Flooding at Wat Pho Thong temple in Prachinburi province, Thailand, prompted an emergency rescue of a large crocodile named Nuea Thong. The 27-year-old crocodile, measuring over 4 meters in length and weighing more than 400 kg, faced the risk of escaping into the nearby Prachin Buri River as floodwaters rose to approximately 1.3 meters around its enclosure.

Local authorities, including the head of Si Maha Phot district, fisheries officials, and volunteers from the Ruamkatanyu Foundation, coordinated the operation. Rescuers used ropes to secure the animal's jaws and limbs before using a crane-equipped truck to lift the crocodile. Nuea Thong was successfully transported to a temporary holding facility in a non-flooded area approximately 20 km away from the temple.

The rescue occurred amid heavy rainfall causing widespread flooding across Thailand, including significant flooding in Bangkok following continuous rain.