We have asked locals to report crocodile sightings. If the crocodile again appears at the same location, I will set a trap to get it caughtSampit, C Kalimantan (ANTARA) - The Central Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) is tracking a four-meter-long crocodile that was recently sighted at a farm in Ganepo village, Serenau sub-district, Kotawaringin Timur district.
A team comprising chief of the agency’s Sampit post, Muriansyah, a member of "Manggala Agni" (fire-fighter brigade), and four Ganepo villagers began tracking the crocodile on Wednesday. They, however, failed to find it or its nest.
According to information provided by Wage, a local resident, the crocodile was spotted resting in a villager's banana farm, located about five meters from the Mentaya riverbank, on February 8, 2021, Muriansyah said.
Based on the information, the team carried out a sweep of the riverbank and the banana farm where the crocodile was sighted, he added.
They also checked four big ponds near the Mentaya riverbank, but failed to find the crocodile or its egg nest.
However, the team did find a group of long-tailed monkeys near the river and a large amount of domestic waste dumped in the river, which could have attracted the crocodile, Muriansyah said.
"We have asked locals to report crocodile sightings. If the crocodile again appears at the same location, I will set a trap to get it caught," he added.
Apart from launching efforts to track and capture crocodiles, the agency has warned locals to remain alert while carrying out any activities in the Mentaya River and its creek because of the presence of crocodiles, Muriansyah said.
The agency recorded 11 crocodile attacks last year. Early this year, a 74-year-old resident of Pelangsian village in Mentawa Baru Ketapang sub-district was snatched by a crocodile in one of Mentaya River's creeks.
Increased sightings of crocodiles around Mentaya River in Mentawa Baru Ketapang sub-district, Kotawaringin Timur district, Central Kalimantan, have created panic among locals.
On February 1, 2021, around 1 p.m. local time, a crocodile was spotted resting on a wooden bridge near a home in Pelangsian village, Mentawa Baru Ketapang sub-district. Several villagers rushed to the spot to take pictures.
Luckily, after resting on the bridge for some time, the crocodile swam back into the river, said Wahyudi, a villager.
A rise in crocodile sightings and a recent crocodile attack on a 74-year-old woman, identified as Bahriah, have left many villagers wary of venturing into the river, he added.
The attack on Bahriah occurred in a creek of Mentaya River around 11.30 p.m. local time on January 1, 2021. (INE)
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Related news: 11 crocodile attacks recorded in East Kotawaringin in 2020
EDITED BY INE
Translator: Norjani, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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