Hong Kong's Yuen Long crocodile saga finally came to an end on June 10 when AFCD field officer Chan Wai-ching draped a cloth over the eyes of the snared reptile to calm it down. 'I am very happy,' Mr Chan said. 'The crocodile was discovered by Hong Kong people, and it has now been caught by Hong Kong people.' Doubts about the ability of government hunters to net the catch-me-if-you-can crocodile had been mounting since November last year when it was reported living in Kam Tin River in Yuen Long. Under the glare of the world's media, expert croc hunters, John Lever from Australia and 'Croc Chiu' He Zhanzhao from the mainland, were invited to the territory to help catch the crafty reptile, but to no avail. So, which of these self-proclaimed croc catchers was the real McCoy and who was just talking a load of old crock? SYP gives its verdict: Name: Chan Wai-ching (and his AFCD crew), 46 (Hong Kong) Equipment: Wire noose snares, cages and nets. Tactics: Conducted croc surveillances and laid snares and cages in the reptile's favourite haunts. Success: Patience pays off. The croc was finally caught in a series of snares. From knowing almost nothing about crocodiles to landing the Yuen Long croc, Mr Chan and his colleagues showed good teamwork and persistence. Does a contract with Gucci beckon? Soundbite: 'A lot of people said it was a good idea to hire foreigners [to catch the croc] because they had the experience. But this time it shows that Hong Kong people can also achieve that. It isn't necessary to hire experts every time.' Name: John Lever, 61 (Australia) Equipment: A harpoon, and a chicken head on fishing line as bait. Tactics: If the croc swallowed the bait and therefore pulled on the fishing line, he would be able to locate the reptile, then harpoon it or catch it with his bare hands. Success: The closest the Aussie got to the croc was on his first night when he saw it in the beam of his head-torch swimming away. Mr Lever said he touched the croc but couldn't catch it. See ya later, alligator. Soundbite: 'They [crocodiles] struggle hard. Never hold them out of the water. You have to let them fight the water as well as you.' Name: He Zhanzhao, aka Croc Chiu (Mainland) Equipment: Nets installed in Kam Tin River. Tactics: Nothing fancy. He and his team had no real strategy - just a 24-hour watch to spot the croc and catch it. Success: They came very close - within 100 metres. The fearless 'Croc Chiu' dived into the stinking river, but unfortunately a passing boat scared the croc away. A close encounter of the scaly kind. Soundbite: 'The crocodile felt very relaxed earlier today and was sunbathing because nobody disturbed it at that time and it felt safe.' Name: Ng Lo-tau, 65 (Hong Kong) Equipment: Fishing nets. Tactics: Mr Ng got his chance to play his part in the hunt when he spotted the croc caught in a snare. He threw five fishing nets over it to make sure it didn't get away. Success: Mr Ng, like all strikers who receive a through-ball from Zinedine Zidane, completed the most enviable task in the world: slotting the ball into an empty net. A sure thing. Soundbite: 'I did not expect the government to pay me because I caught the reptile voluntarily. But I'd rather have money to order tailor-made nets from a group of experts in Tuen Mun.'
