Welcome mat: The Yuen Long crocodile, recently captured by the Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department, has been transferred from the animal management centre in Sheung Shui to Kadoorie Farm & Botanic Garden.

The Yuen Long crocodile, recently captured by the Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department, has been transferred from an animal management centre in Sheung Shui to Kadoorie Farm & Botanic Garden.

Kadoorie Farm will provide the crocodile with expert care before its permanent home in the Wetland Park is ready by the end of 2005.

The department's Assistant Director Lay Chik-chuen said the transfer is in the crocodile's best interest.

Facilities in the farm's compound, including the open-air enclosures, ponds, shelters and its natural setting, are suitable for the healthy growth of this celebrity reptile.

Mr Lay said the two sides will work together closely to monitor the crocodile's adaptation to the new place and their vets will meet and exchange information whenever necessary.

The reptile will be kept in quarantine for three months before it moves into an open-air enclosure.

The crocodile arrived at the farm's compound in a bag this morning. The department's delivery team placed the bag on a stretcher to avoid any unnecessary trauma to the reptile.

The department's conservation officers captured the creature on June 10 after it wandered into a trap in Kam Tin River.