3 Meter Estuary Crocodile Released In Natuna Puller River
NATUNA - The Quick Response Team of the Natuna Regency Fire Department, Riau Islands, released a three-meter-long estuarine crocodile from a breeding place in Baruk Bay, Sepempang Village, to Penarik River, Cemaga Village, South Bunguran District.
"Crocodiles were released from the captivity at the request of the owner who was worried about endangering local residents," said Head of the Natuna Fire Service's Quick Response Team for Disaster Management, Elkadar Lismana, quoted by Antara, Thursday, October 7.
The crocodile evacuation process involved a joint team from the sub-district, village, Satpol PP, TNI, Polri, SAR, and local residents.
Even the evacuation of estuarine crocodiles was carried out for two days (6-7 October 2021), which began with conducting site surveys for mapping and evacuation strategies. Then on the second day an evacuation was carried out.
"It took nearly three hours for the crocodiles to be evacuated and taken to be released," said Elkadar.
The crocodiles were deliberately released wildly into the Penarik River in Cemaga Village, because in the same location there were many crocodiles and it was approved by the residents and the local sub-district head.
He admitted that officers faced a number of obstacles during the release. The condition of the captive pond is not so wide and the position of the crocodile's mouth is up, making it difficult for officers to trap its mouth or attach a rope to be tied so that the crocodile does not move or move, so as not to endanger the joint evacuation team.
"Fortunately, the crocodile evacuation operation ran safely and smoothly until it was completed," continued Elkadar.
His party also appealed to residents in the Penarik River in Cemaga Village to temporarily not move in the river area to avoid threats from crocodiles that were released wildly from captivity.
Officers will also continue to conduct sweeps in locations around the river after evacuating the crocodiles from the captivity.