Banyuasin, KOTABARI.COM – Residents of Banyuasin, South Sumatra, successfully captured a crocodile in a rice field in Sungai Dua Village. The Head of the Balai Konservasi Sumber Daya Alam (BKSDA) for South Sumatra confirmed the capture and stated that the crocodile, approximately 1.8 meters in length, was found about 200 meters from Sungai Dua’s tributary on Tuesday evening (June 11, 2024) around 9:00 PM local time.
Sugito Harjosuwito, the Head of the BKSDA, mentioned that the crocodile was captured by residents around 8:50 PM local time in the rice fields of RT 21, Village VII, Sungai Waru, Sungai Dua Subdistrict, Rambutan, Banyuasin, South Sumatra. Upon receiving the report, the BKSDA team immediately moved to evacuate the crocodile.
“After receiving the report, our team promptly conducted an evacuation to the scene. The crocodile was then transported to the Punti Kayu Quarantine Center in Palembang,” Sugito explained.
Sugito elaborated that the crocodile entered the rice field in search of food, which is usually found in the Komering River. “There are two possibilities for the crocodile’s presence there. Firstly, it may have had difficulty returning to its habitat due to the ebb and flow of the river’s water, or it may have felt comfortable there due to the availability of food,” he added.
He also noted that the BKSDA had previously evacuated another crocodile from the same area, which had gained attention on social media. “We captured two crocodiles. Previously, around 3:00 AM, we also evacuated a crocodile not far from the location,” he stated.
The BKSDA, along with local police, urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report any crocodile sightings to the authorities, especially in rice field areas in Sungai Dua Village. “We also advise the public to exercise caution when engaging in activities around water bodies,” Sugito concluded.