Fears of Crocodile Escape as Floodwaters Swamp Thai Temple
Fears of Crocodile Escape as Floodwaters Swamp Thai Temple
PRACHIN BURI, Thailand, Sept. 29, 2026 — A 27-year-old crocodile weighing more than 400 kilograms has been rescued from a flooded temple in Thailand’s Prachin Buri province after rising waters raised fears that it could escape into the nearby Prachin Buri River.
The crocodile, named Nuea Thong, was moved from its enclosure at Wat Pho Thong on the afternoon of Sept. 27 after temple officials requested urgent assistance as floodwaters spread across the grounds.
Si Maha Phot district chief Juthamas Buaphuean coordinated the operation with Thailand’s Department of Fisheries, Ruamkatanyu Foundation rescue volunteers and local residents.
Officials first secured the crocodile’s jaws and legs with ropes before bringing it onto the road. A truck-mounted crane was then used to lift the huge reptile onto a vehicle for transportation.
Nuea Thong is more than four metres long and weighs over 400kg. Floodwater around its enclosure had risen to approximately 1.3 metres, increasing concern that the enclosure could become compromised as water levels continued to rise.
The crocodile was transported to a temporary holding facility in another subdistrict about 20 kilometres away, where the area was not affected by flooding.
The relocation brought relief to the temple’s abbot, nearby residents and officials, who had feared that Nuea Thong could escape and enter the Prachin Buri River.
Authorities were particularly concerned that an escaped crocodile could cause panic and pose a potential danger to communities living near the river.
The operation came as flooding continued to affect parts of Prachin Buri province. On Sept. 27, authorities reported that around 4,100 households in the province had been affected, while water levels in the Prachin Buri River were still expected to rise.
The crocodile rescue also highlights an unusual challenge created by the widespread flooding: as water expands into homes, temples and other properties, authorities must manage not only human safety but also animals that could be displaced or escape from enclosures.
