A rare freshwater gavial, one of the most endangered species of crocodiles in the world, was found merrily swimming about in a lake in Sattahip district on Tuesday.
The lake is popular as a swimming hole and also used for fishing. Locals say they have seen more than one of the reptiles swimming about the waterhole and have noticed a distinct decline in the number of fish they have been able to catch.
The gavial, while it may look fierce, is not dangerous to humans as its jaws are far too fragile to engage in bone-crunching activities. Local officials inspected the lake and have taken steps to protect the gavial or gavials as they are apparently rarely seen outside India and Pakistan.