A half-tonne wild crocodile was recovering today after she was found in a stream during a storm in Thailand.

The 14ft long beast had swum from the sea into the estuary before continuing its journey upstream amid heavy rain in Surat Thani province on December 8.

A terrified passing driver noticed the saltwater reptile prowling through the shallow ditch and alerted shocked locals who gathered around to try and catch it.

Wildlife handlers arrived and tied ropes around the 450kg croc before lifting it onto a truck to be driven away. They said it took 10 men to bring the animal under control.

The 25-year-old female beast is now being kept at a government-run wildlife facility where her health will be monitored for the next seven days before she is fed.

Ranger Sinsamut Sudsakorn said: 'Her physical condition is strong, perfect. She will now be kept under observation while she abstains from food for seven days. If her health appears to be normal, she will be fed fresh chicken.

'There is lots of space here for her to live comfortably and a pool for her to bathe in. There is space for her to sunbathe. The important thing is that the animal and the rescuers are all safe.'

The crocodile is being cared for at Freshwater Fisheries Research and Development Centre.

Provincial governor Wichawut Jinto said the animal was good-tempered and will eventually be released back into the sea.

He said: ‘We received a call from the village chief saying that they found a large crocodile. We immediately organised search and rescue officers.

‘We also alerted the villagers as the area was only 100 metres away from the houses.

'The crocodile could have killed local animals or even a human if it had been left outside. Fortunately, it was calm and did not resist capture.'

After the massive saltwater crocodile was caught, a second reptile was spotted around the area on the same day. The second crocodile, a smaller 7ft long saltwater was also taken to the facility. No one was hurt in the incident.

Wildlife workers believe that heavy rain in the south of the country has caused streams flowing into the sea to burst their banks and the crocodile had become disorientated.

The governor added: ‘The team had to return to the area later that day because a smaller crocodile was found. We believe it passed through the same stream.'