▲ A Siamese crocodile found in the Soyang Stream in Yeoju is temporarily protected at an animal shelter. (Photo courtesy of Yeoju City Animal Protection Center, Yonhap News)
As an alligator captured in a stream in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province, has been identified as a Siamese crocodile—a species listed as a Class 1 internationally endangered species—attention is focusing on how it was brought into the country.
At 11:27 a.m. on July 18, fire authorities responded to a report from a passerby stating, "There seems to be something like a pet alligator," and captured a 50-centimeter-long alligator in about 30 minutes.
Two days later on July 20, Yeoju City took over the alligator from fire authorities, placed it under temporary protection at the city's animal protection center operated by a private contractor, and requested a species analysis from the National Institute of Biological Resources.
Comparing the videos and photos sent by Yeoju City with animal encyclopedia images, the National Institute of Biological Resources confirmed that the alligator was a Siamese crocodile and notified the city on July 21.
An official from the National Institute of Biological Resources explained, "As a result of comparing the teeth, wrinkles around the eyes, and scales on the back of the neck with animal encyclopedias, we determined that the alligator found in Yeoju is a Siamese crocodile."
The official added, "Although it can be precisely analyzed through bone age and other methods, judging solely by body length, this alligator is estimated to be quite young."
Siamese crocodiles are known to typically grow up to 3 to 4 meters and were once commonly found across Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Myanmar, and Indonesia.
However, due to poaching for skin and other uses, habitat destruction, and climate change, Siamese crocodiles have reportedly been driven to the brink of extinction, with very few breeding individuals left worldwide.
Consequently, this alligator is listed as a Class 1 internationally endangered species under CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora).
According to the Biodiversity Division of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, once designated as a Class 1 internationally endangered species, capturing, trading, or possessing them without permission is internationally prohibited, except for purposes such as academic research.
However, individuals bred while being raised for purposes such as academic research in facilities registered with the CITES Secretariat can be subject to commercial trade if permitted.
An official from the Ministry of Environment stated, "It is possible that someone legally purchased an individual born in a domestic or overseas research institution like this, kept it as a pet, and then abandoned it," adding, "The possibility of smuggling cannot be completely ruled out either."
Police have also launched an investigation to track down the previous owner.
After learning about the discovery of the alligator through news reports on July 20 and confirming the next day that it was an endangered species, the Yeoju Police Station has been reviewing CCTV footage around the Soyang Stream and conducting inquiries among residents near the discovery site.
They are also checking whether any nearby residents previously registered the same species of alligator as a wild animal.
If the previous owner is identified, police plan to review applying charges of violating the Animal Protection Act (abandonment) and investigate the exact acquisition details, including the possibility of smuggling.
Previously, the Yeoju City Animal Protection Center, which is temporarily protecting the alligator, posted a notice on the National Animal Protection Information System on July 20 seeking the owner of the alligator.
The notice initially listed the species as a "spectacled caiman," weighing 1.5 kilograms, with its sex as "unknown."
An official from the animal protection center stated, "Not knowing much about alligators, we initially posted the species as a 'spectacled caiman,' but the 'Siamese crocodile' analyzed by the National Institute of Biological Resources must be correct," and added, "If the owner does not appear within the public notice period ending on July 30, this alligator, being an internationally endangered species, will be handed over to relevant organizations such as the National Institute of Ecology for protective measures."
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