Viral Crocodile Appears In Batanghari River Jambi, BKSDA Studies Potential To Become Habibat

There are crocodiles (rocodilus porosus) on the banks of the Batanghari river that have appeared in the last few days. (ANTARA/HO/Screenshot)

JAKARTA - The Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) appealed to residents living on the banks of the Batanghari River Jambi to be aware of the appearance of crocodiles (poscouscrocodilus) on the longest riverbank in Sumatra.

Jambi BKSDA Public Relations Zuhratus Saleh said that currently there have been many videos on social media circulating over the appearance of crocodiles along the waters of the Batanghari River.

"We still ask all levels of society, be it children and adults, to remain careful if they are active by the river, worried that if they are not advised, there will be casualties, but hope that there will be no casualties," he said when contacted, Tuesday, February 18, was confiscated by Antara.

The Jambi BKSDA stated that the viral video of a crocodile sighting on the edge of the Batanghari River was due to the possibility that the crocodile was seen due to the receding river water.

However, the Jambi BKSDA will continue to monitor and if there is an official report, it can help to evacuate the crocodile.

The Jambi BKSDA also cannot confirm where the crocodile came from, which is certainly not yet known and what is clear as long as the Batanghari River has the potential to become a crocodile habitat.

"Buaya juga termasuk satwa yang dilindungi dimana untuk populasinya d Jambi belum terdata pasti sehingga tidak bisa kita tandakan dia banyak atau sedikit," kata Zuhratus.

Regarding the action efforts from the Jambi BKSDA, he said, actually crocodiles based on the latest regulations are no longer the authority of the BKSDA, but have moved to the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, but BKSDA is still receiving reports and if they are considered dangerous, they will only be evacuated.