Student 1 : I was scared because I thought he would move
Student 2 : He's taller than the average male guy
Shows the picture of him
PD : What's that?
Student : That's a tail, and here's his face
At an unexpected place
an unexpected creature is..
A crocodile
On my way to the convenience store after leaving a study room
School kids told me that a crocodile lives nearby
So I went there out of curiosity, and actually found that he really lives there
In front of a store located in the street
The crocodile lives for real
About 2-meter tall giant crocodile
Lives inside a huge water tank that almost fits his body
Not budging an inch... Is he alive even?
The notice board is next to the water tank
Crocodile Name : Mansik, Male, 25 years old / He's a pet crocodile that lived for 25 years at home
Somebody must have brought him on purpose
Though he tries to move hard inside the small tank
He isn't able to move freely since he's stuck in such a small space
The picture of the crocodile is right next to the restaurant signboard
PD : Hello?
Installs cameras near the tank and observes the situation
Stranger : It's not real
Stranger 2 : It's a fake, right?
Stranger : Of course
Stranger : Who on earth would put a living crocodile inside there
Local : Sigh.. The tank is too small for him
Such a shocking figure that makes our eyes doubt
Passengers can't take their eyes off him
At that moment
Someone looks into the crocodile
A man goes into the restaurant
Later, he takes out something
He puts a raw chicken inside the tank
However
It has been a while since he took it into his mouth
But he just keeps it, instead of swallowing it
He tries hard to eat but seems to have trouble in swallowing
Feels bad for seeing him struggling to swallow
How long has he been stuck in this place?
PD : Hello, do you own that crocodile?
Owner : Yes, why?
PD : We're from SBS broadcasting company
Owner : Don't know why people are making a fuss about the crocodile
Eventually reported to the broadcasting company
The owner has been raised the crocodile for 27 years
Owner : Actually he was raised at home, but since I mostly spend time working at the restaurant
As no one's at home to take care of him
I brought him here instead and have been looked after him
He had a reason to take him to this place
PD : What kind of crocodile is he?
Owner : I figured that he's the Siamese Crocodile
PD : Siamese crocodile?
Owner : Yes, Siamese crocodile
The Siamese crocodile is the most powerful predator
Mainly inhabits in riversides and swamps in East Asia region
They are internationally designated as 1st class endangered animal
And are under the protection
Then why such animal got locked up in the small tank?
Owner : My affection for the crocodile has gotten bigger since I've been raising him for a long time
I raise him like my child. Don't understand why people think I've been abusing him
It makes my mind complicated
PD : What's that?
Owner : These are pictures of me performing with crocodiles
The relationship between the crocodile Mansik and the owner started from 27 years ago
The owner performed with 6 crocodiles for his living
PD : Where's the rest?
Owner : They all died in the passage of time
For about 30 years, the rest are gone but only Mansik survives
Owner : I raised him since the 1988 Seoul Olympics
PD : Where did you get him?
Owner : At those times, it was hard to buy crocodiles
But once you give efforts, you could easily buy them
I bought them at Sewoon shopping center near Cheonggye stream
The owner didn't want to give up the responsibility for taking care of them as they've become his family
Owner : I couldn't find the place to take care of them
So I brought them to my house
Where a dike, facilities to control the right temperature, humidity, and remedy method are available for crocodiles
Owner : It's here
However..
6 crocodiles lived in such small renovated room..
Owner : They lived here for 25 years
PD : In here?
Owner : Yes
Several Siamese crocodiles which can grow up to 4 meters in max
Lived in the same place for a long time
Owner : When they were young, there was no problem since they were small
But as they grew up, they died one by one
Mansik was left alone and lived comfy while using the whole space by himself
As time goes by, the house became small for them
So the 6 crocodiles lived together while being tangled up to each other
In the worst case, they attacked each other to death
Mansik is the only one who survived
I've been raising him for about 20 years
I can't just give such a big boy to sombody
It's really frustrated for me too because I don't know what to do..
Not knowing where to send him to
He has no choice but to keep Mansik around
And he believes that it's his duty and love for Mansik
Animal Protection organization helps to solve the problem
Animal Protection Organization Representative : It's horrible
He can't even move around
And stuck in such a small tank
Representative : It's certain that he's stressed out as he can't move
Owner : I've been raising him for years to find out the right solution..
Representative : Instead of sending him to the wild
We are going to introduce you to the indoor facility where the crocodile lives with the animal experts' help
I think it's time to send him out
For Mansik, he needs to let him go..
But he can't stop crying as feeling sorry and regretful for Mansik..
Owner : I know that I'm being selfish if I keep raising him...
I know that I have to let him go
I don't want to be selfish anymore.. I have to send him..
As he grew up big, I couldn't handle him properly
The owner regrets for being selfish..
Vet : Both eyes are in bad condition
And his teeth are almost worn out
The overall examination is required
First off, an eye examination
Vet : His left eye is ruptured during the fight with other crocodiles
Completely lost vision
One of his eyes has conjunctivitis filled with some puss
His one eye lost vision after being attacked by other entities
Vet : Luckily, no bone fracture or deformity is found in X-ray
But the liver somatic level turns out to be bad according to the blood test
The owner calms down Mansik
Helps Mansik to start his new life with the best condition
After a 5 hour drive
Mansik arrived to the zoo
The zoo is set up with facilities for crocodiles
An overwhelming moment of meeting his new house
Mansik looks relieved as if it was his house before
Owner : I'm feeling sad a bit since I can't see him often...
I want what's best for him
Live happily and stay healthy