Stunned cops kept a lost crocodile hatchling in a motorway services toilet in Thailand.

Police rescued the juvenile reptile, estimated to be around two years old, which was found lying along the road at the Nong Samet checkpoint in Buriram, on April 26.

Officers said the 5ft croc of undetermined sex suffered a head injury and had its snout bound with tape. They kept it in a stopover toilet, spooking travelers from using the restrooms.

Checkpoint chief Sergeant Major First Class Sathaporn Munlee said: 'Three days ago, a motorist reported that he saw the crocodile fall from a car and did not know where it went. We inspected the surrounding area and found it hiding inside a bush. It had minor wounds on its head and body, possibly from falling from a moving vehicle.

'The crocodile was given medicine, but we do not know what to do next. We removed the tape from its mouth and placed it in the restroom because we don't know where else to put it. We tried feeding it pork and chicken, but it refused to eat meat.'

He added they were struggling to care for the croc and are now seeking its owner, fearing it might die.

Crocodile farms are common in Thailand, where the reptiles are bred for leather, meat, and traditional medicine.