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STRAITS TIMES (Hong Kong) 10 June 04 Hunters net elusive HK croc
Hong Kong (AP): A small crocodile that gained celebrity status in Hong Kong by evading dart guns, harpoons and snares set by expert hunters from around the world finally wandered into a government trap on Thursday.
Fishermen found the saltwater croc - first spotted in a swampy creek in November - trapped in a steel noose on Thursday morning, and secured it in their nets, said Cheung Chi-sun, a wildlife protection officer from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department.
A live broadcast on Cable TV showed agriculture department officials in a small boat moving the reptile from the creek. It didn't seem to put up much of a struggle.
The reptile was taken to an animal centre to be examined by government veterinarians, Mr Cheung said.
Where it came from remains a mystery, although local media have speculated that it was an abandoned pet, or an escapee from a mainland Chinese crocodile farm.
Local media estimated that the government has spent around HK$200,000 (US$26,000) in its efforts to catch the reptile.
Nicknamed 'Gucci' - after the Italian designer - by local media thanks to Hong Kongers' passion for crocodile skin handbags, the beast avoided initial efforts to snare it by local officials, and later defeated crocodile experts from Australia and China.
Hong Kong has no native crocodile species and this rare visitor enchanted the people of Hong Kong, who are more accustomed to seeing such creatures on television - or as material for designer handbags and shoes.
Not long after the reptile was first sighted in November, radio callers elected it 'Personality of the year.'
Hunters net elusive HK croc

STRAITS TIMES (Hong Kong) 11 June 04 HK 'celebrity' croc on hunger strike
Hong Kong (AP): Hong Kong's celebrity crocodile - snared this week after seven months on the run - is apparently stunned by its captivity and has refused to eat since it was caught, a wildlife official said on Friday.
The croc, which was first spotted in a muddy creek in November, gained star status here by avoiding persistent capture attempts with dart guns, harpoons and traps set by expert crocodile hunters from across the region.
The reptile finally walked into a snare in the creek on Thursday morning. It was later transferred to an animal centre, where it has seemed frightened and has refused to eat, Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Thomas Chan told Commercial Radio.
The croc ignored two live fish on Friday, and veterinarians will try to serve it chicken, beef and more fish soon, said Mr Albert Hui, a spokesman for the conservation department.
The animal was healthy with no apparent injuries, and it wandered into the outdoor part of the animal centre to sunbathe for about an hour on Friday, government veterinarian Mr Eric Tai said.
Experts have yet to determine the reptile's gender, Mr Tai said, but added that they suspect it is a baby girl.
Where it came from remains a mystery, although local media have speculated that it was an abandoned pet, or an escapee from a mainland Chinese crocodile farm. Hong Kong has no native crocodile species.
Ms Idy Wong, a spokesman for the Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden research institute, said crocs can skip meals - for as long as six months - if they have eaten a lot previously and have enough fat to burn.
But she said the Hong Kong croc was probably too stressed to eat.
'The croc is probably feeling stressful and uncomfortable because of a sudden change in the environment,' Ms Wong said. 'It may not want to eat in a day or two but it'll be worrying if it refuses to eat in a long run.'
Authorities spent around HK$300,000 (US$38,000) in their efforts to catch the croc, said government spokesman Mr Donald Lam.
Though the croc was small - just 1.5m long and 14kg in weight - officials had been concerned that it would grow and become a public danger. The saltwater species, native to Australia and Papua New Guinea, can grow up to 7m long and is known for violent attacks on humans.
Even so, this rare visitor won the hearts of Hong Kong's urbanites who are more likely to spot crocs on nature TV shows or as material for designer handbags and shoes. Some locals called it 'Gucci' after the Italian designer brand, and one radio station named it 'personality of the year'.
Mr Chan said officials were considering seeking help from the public in officially naming the croc, which will be transferred to its new home in a wetlands park next year.
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