Ogan Komering Ilir (OKI), KOTABARI.COM – Residents of Block 3, Line 8, Bumi Pratama Mandira Village, Sungai Menang District, Ogan Komering Ilir Regency (OKI), were startled by the presence of a saltwater crocodile that entered a local fish pond early Sunday morning.
The incident, which occurred around 6:00 AM, involved a crocodile estimated to weigh several hundred kilograms that unexpectedly appeared in a pond owned by Supriadi. The local community quickly acted to capture the crocodile, hoping to remove it from the pond and prevent any potential danger to residents.
“Yes, it is true that a 4-meter-long crocodile entered a resident’s pond and has now been evacuated,” said OKI Police Public Relations Officer, Inspector Hendi Yusrian, on Sunday (June 23, 2024).
Hendi explained that it is still unknown how the crocodile entered the resident’s pond. However, the crocodile has been successfully captured by residents, and the police have coordinated with the Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) for its evacuation.
“Upon receiving the information, our officers immediately went to the scene to assist residents in evacuating the crocodile,” he said.
The OKI Police quickly coordinated with the BKSDA to prevent any unwanted incidents, considering the high activity of residents around the pond.
“We have coordinated with the BKSDA to evacuate and secure the crocodile to its natural habitat,” Hendi added.
Hendi also urged residents to remain vigilant and report any sightings of crocodiles to avoid potential risks.
“We urge residents to report immediately if they see a crocodile,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, BKSDA South Sumatra Public Relations Officer Andre confirmed that their team is currently at the location handling the situation. “Our team is currently at the scene,” he said.
This incident serves as a reminder for the community to stay alert and promptly report to authorities if they encounter dangerous wildlife in their vicinity.