New crocodile for park
Hong Kong Wetland Park has a new crocodile - made from an old tree.
Ching Tat-mam, a skilled craftsman working for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, took two weeks to make a wooden, upright carving of Pui Pui. The saltwater crocodile, whose name means 'the precious one', is the star of the park.
Pui Pui has lived in a 72 sq m enclosure since 2006. She was caught in Shan Pui River, in the New Territories, in 2003.
The carving was done using one of about 10,000 foreign trees cut down since 2009 to leave space for local trees to grow. The wood is also used to make benches and signs.
Tree logs are also stored in country parks to provide homes for small animals, insects and other life forms. Decomposing wood releases nutrients into the ecosystem and supports the growth of other plants.
