Crocodile watchers thronging the banks of Yuen Long creek yesterday had no time for pleasantries such as 'how are you?' Instead, the most common greeting was: 'Do you know where it is?'
And the elusive reptile did not disappoint the hundreds of people gathered at the site, making several appearances before slipping beneath the surface of the murky water.
But despite their interest in the reptile, the crowd's attention shifted to Mr Lever as soon as he arrived on the scene at about 5pm.
Many families turned up with small children. Primary Four student Dickson Chow rushed to the scene with his mother and younger brother after school.
'I came here as soon as I finished my homework,' said the student from Fanling. 'I want to greet the crocodile in person and, hopefully, it will return my gesture.'
Vincent Wong, an interior designer in his 30s, said he travelled for more than an hour with his telescope from his home in Shamshuipo to Yuen Long hoping to catch a glimpse of the crocodile.