The Shanghai Zoo is now keeping watch over a meter-long crocodile that was discovered by a young boy this week in a pond at a primary school, officials said yesterday.

Meanwhile, wildlife authorities are trying to figure out where the toothy reptile came from.

Jiang Ruitong, a sixth-grader at Minhang District's Xincheng Primary School was shocked to find the animal in a goose pond on Monday, even though the crocodile's mouth was taped shut.

"I wanted to see tortoises but found a crocodile instead," he said.

The reptile was sent to Shanghai Zoo after the school called police and animal protection organizations.

"It's the first time anyone has reported finding a crocodile outside the zoo in the city," said Pan Xiuwen, a zoo official. "Our staff is confused about where it came from."

After Jiang found the crocodile, he reported his discovery to schoolmaster Qi Jianming.

"I thought it must be a joke. It seemed impossible," Qi said.

The schoolmaster then kept the students from getting too close to the pond. Police also thought it was a joke when they received the call.

The Shanghai Zoo sent experts to the scene and used a net, long sticks and hooks to pull the animal out of the pond. The crocodile was moving slowly in the cold water, and zoo experts caught it easily.

Nobody knows how the crocodile got into the pond or where it came from, as there are no croc farms or restaurants in the neighborhood.

(Shanghai Daily November 21,  2008)