Beijing, Jul 10 (IANS): A farmer and entrepreneur in China has built the largest private crocodile farm in the country that raises around 6,100 crocodiles.

Yao Shaojun, from Funing city in Jiangsu province, started raising crocodiles in 2004.

He specialises in Siamese crocodiles and recently bought 36 from Thailand, the China Daily reported Tuesday.

Siamese crocodiles live in tropical weather, and Yao uses a solar-powered green house in winter as well as artificial auxiliary heating to help the crocodiles overcome the difference in temperature.

The biggest crocodile in Yao's farm weights 350 kg.

The news comes as a positive development after 3,600 smuggled Siamese crocodiles were recently saved by police from being served as exotic dishes in Guangxi Zhuang region.

The crocodiles were seized from smugglers trucks while crossing the China-Vietnam border.

Siamese crocodiles are a critically endangered species native to most southeast Asian countries. Their meat is served as a delicacy in some southern Chinese cities, according to animal rights activists.