Residents Found 8-10 Crocodiles In North Bengkulu, BKSDA Did Not Deploy Personnel Because It Was Their Habitat

ILLUSTRATION DOCUMENTATION VIA BETWEEN

BENGKULU - The Head of the Conservation Section for Region I of the Bengkulu-Lampung Natural Resources Conservation Center (BKSDA) Said Jauhari said the crocodiles found by residents in Urai Village, Ketahun District, North Bengkulu Regency, must be left in their habitat so that they can survive and develop properly.

"Crocodiles were found by people around the North Bengkulu Regency to Mukomuko Regency, which is the original habitat of estuarine crocodiles," Said said as quoted by ANTARA, Monday, July 18.

He said the BKSDA did not deploy officers to evacuate the crocodiles found by residents in North Bengkulu because the crocodiles were found in their natural habitat.

However, the BKSDA installed warning signs and information boards to alert residents to the possibility of crocodiles appearing in watersheds.

According to Said, the number of crocodiles found by residents in North Bengkulu was not tens, but only about eight to 10 and some of them were juvenile crocodiles.

"Crocodiles lay eggs never reach tens and not all crocodile eggs hatch, so it doesn't make sense that hundreds of crocodile chicks were found in that location," said Said.

He said residents had to apply for a permit to the BKSDA if they wanted to catch or move crocodiles.