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Zoo visitors in China pelted a one-tonne crocodile with rocks until it bled just to see whether it was real or not

The 37-year-old male saltwater croc named 'Xiao He' - said to be Asia's largest - is now being treated for wounds to its head and foot.

The 1,250kg (2,755lbs) animal measuring 5.8 metres (19 feet) lives at the China-Africa Wildlife Zoo in Xiamen, a coastal city in East China's Fujian Province.

According to zoo staff, a group of tourists visiting its enclosure began throwing rocks of different sizes at the reptile in a bid to prove it was alive.

They left when one of the larger rocks struck its head and drew blood, with employees then calling the police to investigate.

(Image: AsiaWire) (Image: AsiaWire)

Xiao He's caretaker, Zhang Xiang, said: "Our crocodile was already bleeding when we arrived to investigate, then we saw the large rock nearby.

"We drained the water [from its pool] and began treating him. It'll take another 10 days to half a month for him to recover."

Zhang explained that crocodiles do not move around as much in the winter, so some visitors think it looks like a fake.

He said: "Some tourists throw stones or poke it with sticks. We will do more to protect our animals, but I feel it has to start with the tourists themselves."

(Image: AsiaWire)

Local authorities are believed to be searching for the culprits, but the zoo has admitted it lacks a comprehensive CCTV system, making the police's task that much more difficult.

Xiao He consumes 25 kilogrammes - or 55 lbs - of food every day.

The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, or PETA, said in a statement through its Asia office: "If you happened across it in the wild, would you treat it the same way?

(Image: AsiaWire) (Image: AsiaWire)

"The zoo's 'Crocodile King' Xiao He was pelted with rocks weighing over 2 lbs until it bled from its head.

Tourists can also take photos with the crocodile for 20 RMB (2 GBP).

"Wild animals belong in the wild, but we use them as photo props for our entertainment.

"We urge the zoo to release Xiao He into an environment that matches his natural needs - away from the teasing and harm of tourists."