The Siamese crocodile, brown with a black-striped tail, is about a meter long and weighs nearly 10 kg. For several days, residents have seen it in the canal, sometimes basking on mounds of earth or patches of floating debris near the bank. Some residents have filmed and photographed the reptile, reporting it to the authorities.

The crocodile swimming in the Nuoc Den canal on 20/7. Photo: Ho Dinh

On the afternoon of 20/7, Nguyen Anh Cuong, chairman of the Binh Hung Hoa ward People's Committee, said the crocodile was likely an escaped pet. Local forces have been mobilized to search along two kilometers of the Nuoc Den canal to capture the animal and ensure public safety.

The crocodile on a mound of earth in the canal, photographed by a resident on 19/7. Photo: Provided by a resident

"There are no crocodile farms or breeding facilities in the ward," he said, advising residents to report any sightings to authorities and refrain from approaching or attempting to capture the crocodile due to the risk of attack.

Ho Dinh