Samutprakarn Crocodile Farm and Zoo
The Samutprakarn Crocodile Farm and Zoo is a crocodile zoo in Samut Prakan Province, Thailand. The park claims to hold the world's largest crocodile in captivity, named Yai, measuring 6 m (19 ft 8 in) and weighing 1,114 kg (2,456 lb).[1] Yai is one among over 100,000 crocodiles at the farm.
Visitors to the crocodile farm can see a wide variety of animals other than crocodiles, including elephants, lions, tigers, monkeys, great apes, horses and hippos. There are daily crocodile shows, famous for the performers doing tricks such as putting their heads and arms inside a crocodile's mouth. Elephant shows display the dexterity of elephants as they walk tightropes, ride skateboards and dance. Visitors may also take short elephant ride, ride a train, enjoy a paddle boat ride or explore the dinosaur museum.
Admission for non-Thai adults is 300 baht. Admission for children is 200 baht. Thai nationals pay 60 baht admission. Foreign-looking residents of Thailand still pay 300 baht. The Samutprakarn Crocodile Farm is located at 555 Moo 7 Taiban Road, Taiban Sub-District, Amphur Muang, Samutprakarn, Thailand. Opening hours are from 8:00 a.m. through 6:00 p.m. daily.[2]
Incidents
There have been at least three suicides at the facility—these involved women jumping into a crocodile pond and being eaten alive; there was such an incident in 2002 and a news report from the BBC makes reference to a similar occurrence a decade prior to this,[3] and more recently in 2014.[4]
A recent article published in The Washington Post alleges that the animals are exploited at the Samutprakarn Crocodile Farm and Zoo.[5]
There was a recent article published by National Geographic reporting animal abuse and neglect, in particular concerning an elephant named Gluay Hom.[6]
References
- Brochure from Samutprakarn Crocodile Farm and Zoo, Thailand, obtained December 26, 2008, on visit.
- "Asia-Pacific | Thai woman eaten by crocodiles". BBC News. 2002-08-11. Retrieved 2020-02-06.
- Tomlinson, Simon (2014-09-16). "Thai woman 'threw herself' into crocodile pit at Bangkok zoo | Daily Mail Online". Dailymail.co.uk. Retrieved 2020-02-06.
- "How to find a real animal sanctuary". The Washington Post. 2019-07-12. Retrieved 2020-02-06.
- PUBLISHED May 15, 2019 (2019-05-15). "Wildlife Tourism social campaign: how to take part". Nationalgeographic.com. Retrieved 2020-02-06.