A conservation group has urged the government to strengthen regulations on importing exotic pets to Hong Kong, after a 1.9 metre-long crocodile was caught in Pat Heung on Sunday.

Jovy Chan, wildlife conservation manager for WWF-Hong Kong, told an RTHK programme the reptile -- a highly-endangered medium-freshwater crocodile that is native to Southeast Asia -- was most likely smuggled into Hong Kong as a pet and later abandoned.

"The government should step in and tighten regulations, such as improving traceability through introducing microchips or a tracking system to track the ownership of rare species," she said.

She recommended that the government should also "enhance its enforcement powers" and "formulate a list, to show what species can be imported to Hong Kong as pets."

Chan said the animal was likely bred in captivity to be sold as a pet and that the species is not generally aggressive towards humans.

The crocodile is now being held at a temporary quarantine facility at Ocean Park.

Head of zoological operations and conservation Howard Chuk said they are ironing out a plan to take care of the crocodile for the time being and it's up to the government to decide whether it should stay in Hong Kong.

"I think if we can assure the animal's welfare, we should consider [keeping the crocodile]," Chuk told Commercial Radio.

"If we can have it as an educational display and carry out some relevant projects that promote to tourists the correct values and educational messages, we should consider it."

Chuk said the crocodile should not be put with the others at the park, because they all need to have their own territory.