50cm Crocodile Captured in Yeoju's Soyang Stream to Await Owner for 10 Days

What will happen to the crocodile captured in Soyang Stream in Chang-dong, Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province, on July 18?
The crocodile will be temporarily sheltered at an animal protection center. If no owner comes forward within 10 days, it is scheduled to be transferred to a specialized institution such as the National Institute of Ecology.
According to reports from Yonhap News on July 20, fire authorities were dispatched after receiving a report from a passerby at 11:27 a.m. on July 18 stating, "There is something that looks like a pet crocodile." They captured the 50cm-long crocodile about 30 minutes later.
The environmental department of Yeoju City took custody of the crocodile from the fire authorities that afternoon.
The city plans to have the crocodile temporarily cared for at an animal protection center, which the city operates through a private contractor, to monitor its health and condition.
Following this, a notice regarding the abandoned animal will be posted on the protection center's website to locate the owner.
The notice period is 10 days.
If no owner appears during this period, the city plans to send the crocodile to relevant institutions, such as the National Institute of Ecology.
A city official stated, "It seems highly likely that someone was keeping the crocodile as a pet and abandoned it," adding, "If the owner does not come forward following the abandoned animal notice, we plan to send it to an institution capable of housing the crocodile according to established procedures."
(Photo: Courtesy of Gyeonggi Fire and Disaster Headquarters, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.