Residents Of Housing In Tanjungpinang Restless Crocodile Appears To Swamp Surface

An estuarine crocodile measuring three meters rises to the surface of a residential area in Tanjungpinang, Riau Islands, Friday (27/5). ANTARA/HO-Damkar Tanjungpinang

TANJUNGPINANG - Residents of the Griya Hang Lekir Indah Housing Complex in Kilometer 9 Tanjungpinang City, Riau Islands (Kepri), are restless with the appearance of estuarine crocodiles on the surface of the swamp around the house.

A resident of Yani said the crocodile measuring about 3 meters long suddenly appeared on the surface of the swamp, exactly behind the housing.

"Crocodiles have often appeared in the past year and it is feared that this could endanger the safety of residents, especially children," said Yani, quoted by Antara, Friday, May 27.

Yani and his family, who have lived in the housing for 4 years, asked the Tanjungpinang City Government to immediately find a solution to handling crocodiles so that residents feel safe and comfortable living in local housing.

"Earlier we immediately reported to the Fire Department after seeing a crocodile here," said Yani.

Meanwhile, the Junior Expert Analyst for the Tanjungpinang Fire Department, Eka Syahputra, said that his party immediately went to the scene after finding reports from residents who saw crocodiles in the Griya Hang Lekir Indah housing.

However, by the time he arrived at the location, he said, the crocodile had already left and was suspected to be hiding in a swamp area in the surrounding housing area.

"We and the residents will try to catch the crocodile by fishing using meat bait," said Eka.

He also appealed to local residents, especially small children, to be more careful for the time being and not to play on the surface of the swamps to avoid conflicts between humans and crocodiles.