On August 18, the Alibaba Assets Judicial Platform was auctioning a batch of crocodiles with a total weight of 2500 pounds (1250 kilograms). The winning bidder is responsible for capturing and transporting the crocodiles after the auction.
The crocodiles being auctioned were put up for public sale by the Second Intermediate People’s Court of Zhongshan City, Guangdong Province on the Alibaba Assets Judicial Platform. The starting price was 168,000 yuan, with a deposit of 33,600 yuan. The auction period ran from July 31 to September 29, with a duration of 60 days excluding any extensions.
Due to the aggressive and potentially dangerous nature of the crocodiles being auctioned, bidders were required to possess a permit for breeding aquatic wildlife, as well as the necessary facilities, qualifications, and permits for capturing and transporting the crocodiles before participating in the auction. Additionally, the winning bidder must handle the necessary capture and transportation approvals and procedures themselves.
Employees from the consulting company designated by the court for assessing and viewing the auction items revealed to Red Star News on August 19 that the auction was initiated because the crocodile owner, Hu Chengli, owed money for the construction of a crocodile pond. The type of crocodile being auctioned is the “Siamese crocodile”.
Reports indicate that the batch of crocodiles up for auction belongs to the Zhongshan Baicaoyuan Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. Hu Chengli, the debtor, is a female entrepreneur in Guangdong who is involved in the crocodile industry. She has been referred to online as the “first female crocodile trainer in China” and has been featured in several media reports. However, she was blacklisted by the court for dishonest actions starting in 2020.
This is the second auction for these crocodiles, and as of around 10:00 am on the 19th, there have been no registered bidders, with 2 setting reminders and 540 views on the auction page.