Crocodiles on loose from flood-hit zoo in Thailand

At least 10 crocodiles were on the loose from an open zoo after floodwater inundated a national reserve in Thailand's southern province.
Muang district municipal officials, who oversee the Tha Lad Zoo yesterday warned residents living around the Somdet Phra Srinagarindra 84 Public Park, to take extra caution for fear the reptiles might be hungry and attack people, the Bangkok Post reported.
The zoo houses more than 10 crocodiles, some measuring up to five metres each, rare bird species and other animals.
Municipal staff were racing against time to evacuate animals from the flood-hit zoo as unseasonal storms continued to lash southern Thailand and northern Malaysia.

The municipality had asked electricity to cut off power at the public park as the water level increased.
An official confirmed that all the crocodiles were missing from the zoo.
Municipal workers in boats were patrolling. The park in hopes of locating the animals and keeping them away from populated areas, but the task was complicated by rising water levels.
There were reports that local residents shot dead two other crocodiles on the loose from a private farm in Muang district two days ago during the flooding.