Crocodile sighting sparks hunt

SINGAPORE  - A rare crocodile sighting in a Singapore suburb has sparked a hunt by authorities â€" as well as locals eager to spot the beast, the Straits Times reported Wednesday.

The one-metre (three-foot) long crocodile was first spotted two weeks ago at a park in a residential suburb, the Straits Times said. It is likely a saltwater crocodile common in mangroves and rivers in Southeast Asia, experts interviewed by the newspaper said.

Authorities have been trying to trap the animal, but nature lovers are also looking out for a chance to photograph it, the report said. “I wanted to see the crocodile in its natural habitat before someone else does something to it. After all, Singapore has so little wildlife left,� said civil servant K.C. Wong, 53, who was combing the vicinity with his son. Animal experts urged the public to stay away from the reptile if they spot it. The park and mangrove swamp is frequented by nature lovers and joggers. Despite its small size and dense population, Singapore is dotted with forests, parks and nature reserves.