Step right up and let me tell you about the Crocodile Farm in Phuket. Once upon a time, this place was known as Crocodile and Tiger World. It was a spot where you could see thousands of crocodiles.
The Phuket Crocodile Farm was not your average tourist stop. It was a working farm. They bred crocodiles here. The farm sold their meat and skin. It might sound a bit grim to croc lovers.
Imagine feeding time at the Phuket Crocodile Farm. A worker throws baskets of fish into the enclosure. Crocodiles come running from everywhere. It becomes a teeth-filled frenzy. You could watch from above. A few steps up gave you a close but safe view.
The Phuket Crocodile Farm also housed other animals. There were emus and ostriches. Even some rabbits. A few tigers slept in concrete pens. Two young tigers were once kept in small cages indoors.
Gibbons were also there. One liked to sneak around and attack visitors’ cages. It was a truly odd place. Brochures and parking were available. Yet, sometimes you would be the only visitor. Some say that the money came from the crocodile business. Opening to the public was just extra.
The western coast of Phuket is not a natural habitat for crocodiles. If one is spotted swimming in the sea, it likely escaped from a farm. These farms breed crocodiles for meat and leather. Even freshwater crocodiles can swim in saltwater.
Crocodile farms breed and raise crocodilians. This is for meat and skin. Most are in Thailand. Millions of crocodiles are slaughtered each year. Crocodile farming began in the early 20th century. At first, they were tourist attractions. Commercial operations started later. They harvested eggs or bred crocodiles on-site.
Farming became viable as wild alligator stocks diminished. Crocodile skin can fetch hundreds of dollars. The meat is also sold to markets. Some cultures believe crocodile meat has medicinal properties.
Crocodile farms can have minimal environmental impact. They can even aid conservation. Sustainable farms reduce illegal poaching. They may release juveniles into the wild. These farms protect alligator habitats. They see the environment as an economic resource.
There are concerns. Stress from confinement can cause disease outbreaks. Clean water in enclosures is important. Escapes can also happen. Thousands of crocodiles have been released during flooding.
The Crocodile Farm business in Thailand faces challenges. Regulations on cross-border trade affect them. During the pandemic, sales plummeted. Farmers seek relaxation in regulations. They also want more international markets.
Sriracha Farm Asia is one of Thailand’s oldest farms. They supply crocodile meat and skin. Samutprakarn Crocodile Farm and Zoo is another. It houses over 100000 crocodiles and is a popular tourist attraction.
Sadly the Phuket Crocodile Farm no longer exists. But its story lives on. It reminds us of the complex relationship between humans and these ancient creatures.