And so, the mystery deepens.

National water agency PUB has said that poachers could be responsible for killing the 400kg crocodile found dead a month ago on April 18 at Kranji Reservoir, The Straits Times reported on May 16, 2014.

The authorities have also revealed that the crocodile, nicknamed Barney, was found with a metal rod in its eye and a large fishing hook lodged in its mouth, in a joint statement by PUB and the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA).

PUB and AVA are currently probing the 3.6m-long crocodile's death as a case of illegal poaching. The illegal poachers are deemed to be still at large.

Previously, it was reported that the dead crocodile was disposed of at a nearby farm, which led to questions about why it wasn't preserved.

However, it has been revealed now that Long Kuan Hung Crocodile Farm, the only crocodile farm in Singapore, did not receive the carcass.

After the original news broke on May 4, 2014 about the dead crocodile, a personnel from Long Kuan Hung Crocodile Farm went around social media leaving messages denying the farm had received any carcass:

It is not known if the carcass was disposed of at another farm, if it wasn't brought to the crocodile farm, or if the carcass has gone missing altogether and its status is currently unknown.

It is also not known why the poachers did not make off with the crocodile's carcass after killing it.

The poaching of wild animals carries a maximum fine of $1,000 and forfeiture of the animal.

The public should call AVA's hotline at 1800-476-1600 to report any suspected poaching activities.

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