3.5 Meter Crocodiles Bited By Residents' Fishing Equipment Released In Taman Safari Lagoi Bintan

Firefighters evacuated a 3.5 meter estuarine crocodile in a former sand mine in Masiran Village, Bintan, Riau Islands, Monday (22/7/2024). (ANTARA/Ogen)

BINTAN - The Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) through the Service Technical Implementation Unit (UPTD) of the Toapaya District Fire Department, Bintan Regency, Riau Islands (Kepri) evacuated an estuarine crocodile measuring 3.5 meters. Head of UPTD Fire Department Toapaya Makmur said the estuarine crocodile was initially caught by residents at the former sand mine, to be precise in Masiran Village, Gunung Kijang District on Sunday, July 21 evening. "Residents fished there, suddenly the fishing rods were eaten by crocodiles, then arrested together and tied up," said Makmur in Bintan, as reported by Antara, Monday, July 22. Furthermore, on Monday morning the rescue team from the Toapaya Fire Department UPTD went directly to the field to evacuate the estuarine crocodile. After being successfully evacuated with the available equipment, a large reptile was then released into the Lagoi Bintan Safari Park which became the location for crocodile breeding. "There is already an MoU, that's why the crocodile was handed over to Taman Safari Lagoi," said Makmur. Makmur also appealed to the public not to carry out activities around the former sand mining excavation in Masiran Village, because the location is one of the habitats of estuarine crocodiles. Especially in the midst of hot weather, he continued, crocodiles usually rise to the ground and bask in the sun to raise their body temperature.

"It is better for residents not to fish in the former sand mine, for fear of causing conflict between crocodiles and humans," said Makmur. He added that based on reports from local residents, in the former sand mining area there were five estuarine crocodiles, three of which had been caught and the remaining two crocodiles were still roaming the area.