The toothy reptiles were originally kept at a crocodile farm in Maoming, in the southern province of Guangdong. The outlet said it contacted local authorities who had warned residents not to venture out. A member of the emergency squad told Nanfeng Plus that they may have to euthanize the crocodiles rather than capture them. In China, crocodiles are prized for their skin and their meat is believed to have medicinal value in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Southern China and Hong Kong have been battered by downpours after typhoon Haikui ripped through the region last week.

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Persons: Peng Cun Organizations: Hong Kong CNN — Authorities, Hai Bao News, Beijing, Nanfeng Locations: Hong Kong, Maoming, Guangdong, Shandong, China, Medicine, Southern China