Pui Pui (crocodile)
Encyclopedia
Crocodile
A crocodile is any species belonging to the family Crocodylidae . The term can also be used more loosely to include all extant members of the order Crocodilia: i.e...
captured in Shan Pui River
Shan Pui River
Shan Pui River is a river in Yuen Long, New Territories, Hong Kong. It has many tributaries, most of them starting from inside Tai Lam Country Park. It passes six villages and is joined by a few more streams. After flowing through Yuen Long Town, it continues northeast into Yuen Long Industrial...
(山貝河) in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
on 10 June 2004 by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department
Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department , formerly Agriculture and Fisheries Department before 2001, of the Hong Kong Government is responsible for agriculture and fisheries in Hong Kong, conservation projects and issues, and managing the country parks and special areas...
(AFCD) officers of Hong Kong. She was first transferred to Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden
Botanical garden
A botanical garden The terms botanic and botanical, and garden or gardens are used more-or-less interchangeably, although the word botanic is generally reserved for the earlier, more traditional gardens. is a well-tended area displaying a wide range of plants labelled with their botanical names...
before being moved permanently to the Hong Kong Wetland Park
Hong Kong Wetland Park
Hong Kong Wetland Park is a conservation, education and tourism facility, located at the northern part of Tin Shui Wai, in Yuen Long. It was to be an ecological mitigation area for the wetlands lost due to Tin Shui Wai New Town development....
on 15 August 2006.
Fame and capture
The saltwater crocodileSaltwater Crocodile
The saltwater crocodile, also known as estuarine or Indo-Pacific crocodile, is the largest of all living reptiles...
has become a local celebrity
Celebrity
A celebrity, also referred to as a celeb in popular culture, is a person who has a prominent profile and commands a great degree of public fascination and influence in day-to-day media...
since being spotted at Shan Pui River, Yuen Long on 2 November 2003. After several weeks of unsuccessful attempts by an Australian Crocodile Hunter
Crocodile Hunter
Crocodile Hunter may refer to:*Steve Irwin , star of The Crocodile Hunter*Malcolm Douglas , Australian wildlife documentary film maker and crocodile hunter*The Crocodile Hunter, TV nature program...
(John Lever), and months of effort on the part of mainland Chinese experts to capture it, the reptile was trapped by Hong Kong's AFCD
Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department , formerly Agriculture and Fisheries Department before 2001, of the Hong Kong Government is responsible for agriculture and fisheries in Hong Kong, conservation projects and issues, and managing the country parks and special areas...
staff on 10 June 2004.
The crocodile saga aroused wide public interest in wetland and wildlife conservation in Hong Kong.
Name
After a territory-wide naming contest with 1,600 entries, the crocodile was named "Pui Pui" - "the precious one", which is also a reference to Shan Pui River where it was found.In captivity
She then spent two years at Kadoorie Farm while her permanent home at the Hong Kong Wetland ParkHong Kong Wetland Park
Hong Kong Wetland Park is a conservation, education and tourism facility, located at the northern part of Tin Shui Wai, in Yuen Long. It was to be an ecological mitigation area for the wetlands lost due to Tin Shui Wai New Town development....
was being constructed. She moved to her home on 15 August 2006. After two weeks' observation in the indoor portion of her home she was finally moved to the external pool where she could be visited by the public.
Speaking after the arrival of the Pui Pui in the Wetland Park, the Hong Kong AFCD Assistant Director Mr Lay Chik-chuen said there was no need for people to rush to the Park to see her, as she was here to stay.
"As a celebrity croc, we believe Pui Pui's exhibition in the Wetland Park will promote public awareness of wetland conservation," he said.
Hong Kong Wetland Park also sells stuffed crocodiles called "Pui Pui" as part of their merchandise.
Pui Pui's Home
On 29 August 2006 she was moved into her landscaped enclosure and can be easily viewed by the public. Pui Pui’s Home was designed to provide the reptile with a healthy and comfortable living environment.The outdoor enclosure is about 8 by, of which 70% is pool area. With a maximum depth of one metre, the pool is landscaped with plants to provide sheltered areas, hiding places and basking areas for the reptile. Outdoor facilities include infra-red heaters, a heat pad and a weighing scale. Water in the pool is continuously circulated through a filtration system.
Age and size
Pui Pui was estimated to be about 4 years-old when she was captured in 2004, therefore suggesting that she was born in 2000.Measuring 1.75 metres (5.7 ft) and weighing 19.5 kilograms (43 lb) when she moved to her permanent home in August 2006, Pui Pui will grow to three metres when fully matured. The 72-square-meter outdoor enclosure in the Hong Kong Wetland Park is designed to accommodate her as she grows larger.