Would-be crocodile spotters are wasting their time by turning up at the Yuen Long reptile's former haunts, according to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department.
'The crocodile has moved to Lut Chau but few people know how to get there,' said fauna conservation officer Wong Che-lok. 'Some people are still waiting at Nam Sang Wai [where the reptile first appeared].'
However, Mr Wong was not offering anyone a map to the remote fishing village of Lut Chau - the department wants sightseers to steer clear of the croc for fear they will scare it away or make it more difficult to capture.
The crocodile was first seen last October. The circus surrounding the reptile had abated over winter, but recent reports of its reappearance have reignited the public's fascination. 'Many people came out last Monday because the Oriental Daily News ran a front page story about the crocodile,' Mr Wong said. 'The roads near Nam Shan Wai were all jammed that day as many people still thought the crocodile was there.'
The public's fascination has also extended to offering advice to the crocodile hunters.
'We've constantly received inquiries through e-mails or the phone hotline,' said Mr Wong. Some urged officers to capture the crocodile quickly, or even shoot it, while others suggested leaving the reptile alone and turning the area into an eco-tourism site.
