We take our hats off to the Yuen Long crocodile - he is one seriously cool reptile. He has achieved worldwide fame and stardom by giving hunters the slip for weeks. And the word from the swamp is that the crafty croc escaped from its truck-driver captor who planned to have him for dinner. Go, croc.
Of course, there is a good reason why the crocodile is proving so elusive: he doesn't want to die. The croc doesn't know that if he is caught he will be turned over to the Agriculture Fisheries and Conservation Department, who are preparing a cosy house for him at the Zoological and Botanical Gardens. And he wouldn't be spending the rest of his life in the zoo. He would be moved to the Tin Shui Wai wetland park when it is opened in 2005.
We just hope the croc hasn't been reading the latest fashion magazines. If he had, he would know that crocodiles are hot this season - as handbags, belts and shoes. Italian fashion designer Miuccia Prada has a candy-pink crocodile jacket and crocodile skirt in her winter collection. It's not just the ladies wear either - a maroon crocodile jacket is the highlight of Valentino's new men's line.
And it's not just fashion fiends that crocs need fear, they also face the very real threat of turning up on the dinner table. The China Tropical Lands Research website says that the demand for exotic foods, such as crocodiles, snakes and turtles, is seriously affecting South Asia's wildlife populations.
Diners aren't ordering crocodile for the taste - those who have tried it say the flavour is like fishy chicken. The main reason for ordering it is the belief that the meat has medicinal properties. Traditional Chinese medicine holds that crocodile flesh, as well as the gall bladder and penis, is especially good for people with diabetes, heart ailments and respiratory problems.
No wonder the croc is hiding - and good luck to him. Crocodiles are the largest and most intelligent reptiles. He has already managed to fool Australian hunter John Lever. Let's wait and see if he can outwit the next batch of hunters.
