Residents Of Bantaran Sungai And Pesisir Pantai Gorontalo Kelap Muncul Buaya, Ini Imbauan BPBD

Illustration of river estuarine crocodiles. (Unsplash- Joshua J. Totten)

GORONTALO - The Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) of Gorontalo City appealed to residents who live along rivers and coasts to be vigilant regarding the appearance of crocodiles.

Head of Post-Disaster Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Division of Gorontalo City BPBD, Mulyono Mardjun, said that in the past week several crocodiles appeared on the banks of Bone and Bulango rivers and the coast of Gorontalo City.

"Initially, residents said that several crocodiles appeared in the coastal waters of South Leato Village. A few days later they reappeared around the banks of the Tenteng Village river," said Mulyono in Gorontalo, Monday, September 25, which was confiscated by Antara.

He said, according to residents' confessions, the crocodile is thought to have a length of about three to four meters long, often appearing in a number of titions. It is estimated that the crocodile is four.

BPBD takes anticipatory steps by coordinating with the village government so that it can convey an appeal to the public for the time being, it is better to avoid coastal areas and riverbanks.

His party together with related elements such as the Fire Department, Natural Resources Conservation Center (BKSDA), Basarnas to the TNI-Polri, went down to the location where crocodiles appeared.

"Meanwhile, we have not been able to see the crocodile's presence at the location mentioned. Especially when we arrived at the location, the crocodile disappeared. However, at some point, our officers had seen the crocodile's appearance. Unfortunately when it was about to evacuate, the crocodile disappeared from the surface of the water," said Mulyono.

Imbauan secara bergerak juga diumumkan agar masyarakat selalu waspada.

"We are also working with the Police to put up banners that read a ban on activities such as bathing, swimming, fishing and other activities along rivers and coasts in the Gorontalo City area," he said.

BPBD also hopes that residents will be proactive in informing if anyone sees crocodiles appearing at the location.