Crocodiles escaped from a farm sparking concern among villagers in Thailand.

The reptiles were being bred for leather - an industry slammed by animal rights groups such as PETA - but managed to slip out from a crack in the cement wall of the farm's pond in Samut Sakhon province.

The farm owner coordinated with police and local officials to round up the twelve crocs, including one massive beast that weighed more than 100 kg, that had fled into nearby fish ponds.

Authorities on March 14 scoured the vicinity for the escaped crocodiles. They said they have caught 11, with one still missing.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Sopas Thanonthip of the Muang Samut Sakhon Police Station said: '‘We have coordinated with the province's Fisheries Administrative officer to participate in the area inspection after being informed about the missing crocodile.

'The farm owners will be guarding the other crocs to ensure they do not escape again.'

Kunsombat Srisombat, a Samut Sakhon fisheries officer, said the crocodile farm, which spans around 56,000 square metres, had 146 crocodiles according to records from 2021.

He added that the facility was also licensed to breed the reptiles.

Investigators from PETA last December found that crocodiles are stabbed with a metal blade and continue to move while workers tear off their skin to make bags, shoes, belts, and other accessories that are sold around the world.