Net cast to find mainland hunters

As time begins to run short in John Lever's quest to catch the Yuen Long crocodile, officials are trying to clear the way for experts from the mainland to join the hunt.

Lay Chik-chuen, assistant director of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, was in Guangdong yesterday screening potential candidates at the Da Bian crocodile farm in Panyu City, Guangzhou.

'We have asked them to consider whether they are willing to come to Hong Kong,' Mr Lay said. 'Hopefully they can come before John [Lever] leaves.

'If they could come early they might be able to join John in his catching operations. Once they have provided us the names of the experts and their experience, we will make arrangements for them to come to Hong Kong,' Mr Lay said.

It is understood one of those invited is He Zhangzhao, who Mr Lay described as a 'professional crocodile handler'. He added it was likely that more than one specialist would be brought in.

The farm, one of the world's largest, forms part of Panyu Xiangjiang Wild Animal World, a large safari park that features crocodile displays, as well as skins and meat. Mr Lay said the department had explained the nature of the task to the farm's managers who were considering the request.

'They are very realistic, they know what they are doing and they know this is not an easy job,' he said.

Mr Lever, meanwhile, said he would welcome the chance to swap notes with any experts brought in from the mainland.

'I'd love to work with them. It would be good to get a couple of days with them just to go through the techniques,' he said.

'I welcome their arrival, otherwise there will be a crocodile roaming around and there is no one here to catch it.'

Mr Lever found no trace of the crocodile during his hunt last night and said that that he planned to spend his final two days in Hong Kong training government officials in the art of capture.

'I'm frustrated and disappointed ... I think the croc has moved somewhere else and until it moves back into this area and is seen again there is not much I can do,' he said.

'We are going to do a little bit of training with the nets so I can leave behind some skills that might help catch the croc.'