VietNamNet Bridge - While catching fish in Van Tri lagoon in Dong Anh District, Hanoi, a local resident caught a crocodile of about 70kg.

The crocodile

Le Van Binh, who caught the crocodile, said while going fishing in Van Tri swamp, he discovered a big fish near his boat.

Binh used an electric stick to kill the fish. The fish wriggled violently, making his boat rock fiercely.

When the fish was motionless, Binh checked and knew that it was a crocodile.

The man called three others to help him carry the crocodile onto a bigger boat. It took them approximately an hour to take the crocodile ashore.

Binh said a man came to see him, saying that he was the owner of the crocodile, which had escaped from a cage a few days ago. The man wanted to redeem it. He returned home to take ransom.

Van Tri lagoon where the crocodile was caught.

Binh waited several hours but the man did not return so Binh sold the crocodile for VND8 million (nearly $400).

The crocodile is 74kg and nearly 3 m long, Binh said.

“If I knew that it was a crocodile, I would have never dared to follow and catch it. By far, the Van Tri swamp has never had crocodiles. Local people still swim in the swamp to catch crabs and snails," said Binh.

Nhi Tien