Images of a four-year-old girl in Thailand playing with hundreds of newborn crocodiles has sparked widespread concern online.
In early July, Thai woman Kwanrudee Siripreecha posted several videos of her daughter playing with more than 200 baby crocodiles, according to Thai TV channel Thaich8 News.
They show the fearless girl happily lying in a pool, covered with the reptilian hatchlings, holding a few in her hands.
Kwanrudee’s Facebook profile shows that she runs a crocodile farm in Thailand.
Thailand is one of the world’s largest producers and exporters of crocodile products, including leather, meat and other by-products.
The country boasts more than 1,000 farms that produce 1.2 million crocodiles, according to the Thai Department of Fisheries.
Online sources show that crocodile-based products, such as a Himalaya Birkin handbag, typically can sell for up to 2.4 million baht (US$66,000) while a crocodile leather suit can sell for around 200,000 baht.
The reptile’s meat sells for up to 300 baht (US$8) a kilo.
Kwanrudee told Thaich8 News that her daughter has been fascinated with baby crocodiles since she was two years old.
“My daughter loves to put the newborn reptiles in a water bowl and watch them swim,” she said.
Kwanrudee said the crocodiles her daughter plays with are less than 15 days old, and added: “They haven’t grown teeth yet, so they don’t bite.”
She also closely monitors her daughter while she plays and would pull her out of the pool if there was any hint of danger.
“When these baby crocodiles grow bigger, develop more teeth, and have thicker skin, my daughter won’t be able to play with them anymore,” she said.
However, the mother has faced criticism on social media.
One concerned person on X said: “Even if the baby crocodiles don’t bite your daughter, the water could be full of their secretions and bacteria.”
“Playing with crocodiles might give other kids a misguided sense of the dangers they pose,” said another.
A third person warned the mother on Facebook: “Isn’t this too risky? If something happens to the little girl, the mother will be legally responsible.”
