BKSDA Palopo Urges Residents Not To Do Activities In The Crocodile Prone River

Photo Illustration: Antara

JAKARTA - The Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) appealed to residents not to move at the location where crocodiles appeared in the Telluwanua District River, Palopo City, South Sulawesi (Sulsel).

"For safety, residents should not work or pass through that area," said Head of BKSDA Region I Palopo Iskandar Husni in Palopo, Saturday.

He said the crocodile appeared on the surface of the Salutete River, Pentojangan Village, Telluwanua District, Palopo City, Wednesday, April 17 at around 11.00 WITA. Residents also had time to record the crocodile's appearance using its cellphone camera.

According to him, the river in Telluwanua District, including the Salutete River, is indeed indicated as a crocodile habitat. Even so, he said, these animals should not be hunted and killed.

"Buaya di sana memang sudah sering ditemukan masyarakat dan terdapat terdapat indikasi sungai di Kecamatan Telluwanua sudah menjadi habitat agak. Tapi crocodile merupakan satwa yang dilindungi UU, tidak diperbolehkan untuk dibunuh atau dimusnahkan," ucapnya.

He also appealed to the people around the river not to move in the river. Not only that, his party also warned residents not to throw away food residue such as meat in the river, because it could trigger the crocodile's appearance.

"Rivers usually become a place for residents' activities such as bathing and washing, he said, so now we urge you to be vigilant not to move in the river. We also recommend that residents not throw garbage or leftover food such as meat, because it could trigger crocodiles to come," he said.