Massive crocodile who had a miserable life being tormented for selfies is finally released from private Taiwan zoo by animal activists
The 19ft saltwater beast is being moved to a new home due to stricter animal protection laws
A GIANT 19ft crocodile paraded before crowds and used to give children piggy-back rides has been rescued by animal activists.
Stricter animal protection laws in Taiwan have forced the private zoo owner to close and have allowed the croc to be relocated.
Named Xiao He, the captive-bred 34-year-old saltie reportedly allowed his owner Chiu Hsi-ho to stick his entire hand in his mouth,
He will be moved from his home in Tainan City’s Madou District, in south-western Taiwan, to a zoo in Xiamen, a major port city in East China Fujian Province.
Hsi-ho, who is also the founder of the Madou Crocodiles King Ecological Farm, has now paraded the beast before tourists one last time.
He said: "Xiao He is like one of my children. He was imported to Taiwan from Singapore in 1982 when he was just 30 centimetres (12 inches). Now he’s 6 metres. I bathe him every day and brush his teeth. I’m very reluctant to say good-bye."
Over the years, Xiao He has been visited by tens of thousands of children and adults who have been allowed to ride on his back for photographs.
He was fed fresh fish and even sung to during his last public performance, but will have better surroundings in Xiamen following his move later this month.
Local reports said a 17,222-square-foot enclosure has been prepared to welcome him, who – at least according to Chiu – can live up to 100 years if cared for properly.
Chiu previously noted that it would be increasingly difficult for small-scale private zoos like his to survive in Taiwan following a revision of Taiwan’s strict Animal Protection Act.
The amendment, which took effect on 23 January this year, came following the high-profile death of a privately owned hippopotamus while it was being transported.
It requires "animal show vendors" to possess a special licence before opening a commercial operation.
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