Residents Alarmed After Discovering Crocodile-Like Footprints on Island in Mae Klong River
Residents in Kanchanaburi's Mae Klong River area discovered large animal footprints and drag marks on an island that resemble crocodile tracks, prompting authorities to warn locals against swimming until the creature is identified.
Residents in Tambon Wai Niao, Amphoe Tha Maka District of Kanchanaburi Province are concerned after discovering large animal footprints on an island in the Mae Klong River that resemble crocodile tracks. A man named Niran was the first to spot the tracks and reported finding drag marks and footprints leading into the water, significantly larger than human-sized, though he suspects it may not be an ordinary fish. He no longer dares to swim in the area.
Chelampon Hongyont, chairman of the Region 7 Water Rescue Club, conducted an on-site investigation and discovered two large burrows with soil disturbance patterns suggesting a large animal attempting to enter the water. Body drag marks approximately 4 meters long were also found. Residents from a nearby village reported discovering a burrow about 3 meters deep with similar markings.
Hongyont noted that crocodile behavior typically involves basking during midday and retreating to burrows at night, though he stressed that the creature's identity remains unconfirmed and requires further investigation by fisheries officials.
The village headman has issued a warning to residents and fishermen in the area to avoid the riverbank and refrain from swimming temporarily until officials can definitively identify the animal to prevent potential accidents.
