Business booming for Britain's first crocodile farm
as diners snap up latest exotic delicacy
30-10-2009 By James Tozerm The Daily Mail, UK
Instead, farmer Andy Johnson had to risk life and limb when it was time to move his livestock to new quarters - seven very large and very angry crocodiles weighing as much as 400lbs each.
The African reptiles are being fattened up to be sold for meat at Europe's first crocodile farm in rural Cambridgeshire, but had outgrown their existing pool complex.
Five nervous workers carry the huge crocodile across the farmyard to its new pen.
So with just a length of insulating tape keeping the bad-tempered reptiles' bone-crushing jaws shut, Mr Johnson and a group of brave volunteers - including his own wife - set about carrying them the 50 yards to their new home.
Fortunately, despite their struggles, none made a dash for it - although the farmer suffered a loose tooth from being headbutted by one of the crocs and a cut arm, while his wife Tracey's shirt was torn in the carefully-planned operation.
Tonight all seven - the largest of which measures 10ft from nose to tail - were settling into their £60,000 specially-built enclosure, featuring underfloor heating, viewing windows and pool for baby crocodiles.
But not before Mr Johnson had been taught a lesson never to underestimate his scaly livestock's cunning ways.
'I never expected crocodiles to be so clever,' the relieved farmer said after surviving more or less unscathed.
'They are really good at picking up on people's emotions and can sense fear. Never trust crocodiles, as they are super quick.'
Mr Johnson has been keeping Nile crocodiles at Church Farm in Old Hurst near Huntingdon since 2006, but has yet to begin the breeding programme which will enable him to start selling their meat from his on-site shop.
So once the brand-new complex was completed, he and his team set about the perilous task of moving them.
That involved Mr Johnson jumping on their backs, forcing their gaping jaws shut with a stick, and then taping them closed - all without getting too close to their teeth.
With the help of his wife and a group of strong-nerved friends, they were then carried one by one to their new home.
The most troublesome was Romeo, the 418lb (190kg) male, who threw 'a tantrum' on the way, leading to Mr Johnson's damaged tooth.
But he insisted: 'It went like clockwork - I did think that someone could end up with stitches, but I didn't think anybody would lose an arm or anything.'
Farmer Andy Johnson, from Old Hurst near Huntingdon, Cambs breeds the crocodiles for their meat and sell the delicacy in his on-site farm shop.
Once they have settled in, visitors will also be able to watch rural Cambridgeshire's first crocodile colony for the first time thanks to viewing windows.
'The replacement crocodile breeding enclosure is much better suited to their needs as it is much bigger and brighter,' Mr Johnson said. 'They had outgrown their old home.'
While exotic meats such as ostrich and buffalo introduced in the 1990s never really caught on, he believes that by undercutting imported crocodile flesh - which fetches between £8 and £10 per pound - he can find a market among shoppers who want something healthy and original.
Cuddles the crocodile (top) and Sherbert at Mr Johnson's farm in 2006.
'Crocodile can be eaten as a meat steak or even spare ribs. It's white, low fat meat with the grain of fish.
'Some people say it is similar to chicken, but it's not, it tastes of crocodile.'
Crocodile meat - the facts
Crocodile and alligator are widely eaten in Asia, Africa, South America and Australia.
In China it is credited with curing a range of ailments, including asthma or even cancer.
Some diners describe the taste of crocodile meat as resembling chicken.
Prince William tried it on a date with Kate Middleton in 2006.
Low in cholesterol and high in protein.
Recipes include seasoned crocodile pieces sauteed with slices of mango topped with a sauce made from a mixture of basil, parsley, garlic and olive oil.
Sainsbury's began importing crocodile from Australia in the 1990s in the hope they would appeal to customers put off beef by the BSE scare.
Farmed crocodiles are usually slaughtered when they reach around six years old.
(Bron: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/)
(Bron foto's: Daily Mail)
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