A crocodile is served as food at a recent wedding banquet in Xiaoshan city, east China's Zhejiang province. [Photo/Southcn.com]

It's been reported that a crocodile has been served at a wedding banquet in Xiaoshan city, east China's Zhejiang province.

A netizen said one of his friends went to the city to attend the ceremony. The friend was surprised to see a crocodile at the party. The animal was dissected and served to the guests.

Numerous netizens have been shocked by the report and are urging people to be kind to protected animals.

Although the credibility of this story hasn't been confirmed yet, more netizens said crocodiles were often seen at wedding banquets in Xiaoshan and Yuhang in the province.

According to one local official, crocodiles are legally-protected animals in China.

In 2003, the State Forestry Administration of China lifted a ban on commercial use of 54 artificially domesticated wild animals, including crocodile.

In the meantime, administration procedures are strictly implemented. The killing, breeding, and trading of wild animals requires government approval in China.