Crocodile feeding: What could go wrong?
A few days ago photos were posted and widely shared through the social media of a group of tourists standing on a floating cage in the middle of a pond feeding a large group of very hungry crocodiles.
To many who viewed the photos, it looked like an accident waiting to happen. The floating platform didn't appear to be especially sturdy and the tourists seemed largely unsupervised and were gathered mainly on one side of the vessel. Anyone unlucky enough to fall in the water would seem to have little chance of surviving.
The Thai-language news media quickly picked up on the story and it was soon discovered that the feeding activity took place at Anachak Chang Pattaya, known as Elephant Kingdom, which also has about 4,000 crocodiles, a breeding operation run by Utairatch Crocodile Farm & Zoo Company.
Uthen Youngprapakorn, the owner of the attraction, said that there had never been an incident involving the popular floating feeding platforms. Each cage can bear a load of about eight tonnes but occupancy is limited to 10-15 people at a time to ensure safety, he said.
The rafts, which measure 5x10 metres, are equipped with outboard motors as well as cables that allow them to be towed to safety quickly. They also have chest-high barriers Adisorn Promthep, director-general of the Fisheries Department, was not convinced the safety measures were adequate. After police and officials from other agencies visited the crocodile farm on Friday, he suspended its license for 90 days and ordered the owner to improve its safety measures.
He has asked the Chon Buri provincial fisheries office to inspect the farm to ensure that new measures are put in place. He has also instructed all fisheries offices to inspect similar farms in their areas.
The big question now is whether tourists will be allowed back on the floating
platforms after the 90 day suspension expires. Do you think they should be?