BKSDA team hunts wild crocodiles at Batakan Beach

South Kalimantan BKSDA officers and the joint team install a floating cage to trap wild crocodile at the estuary area in Panyipatan, Tanah Laut Regency, South Kalimantan, some time ago. (ANTARA/HO-BKSDA Kalsel)

Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan (ANTARA) - The South Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) has dispatched two patrol team to monitor and search two wild crocodiles in the river estuary and Batakan Beach, Tanah Laut District.

“One victim was injured after being attacked by a crocodile in the estuary area a few weeks ago. After that, we coordinate with local authorities for capture effort,” said acting Head of South Kalimantan BKSDA Suwandi when confirmed here on Tuesday.

He informed that his team has installed floating trap at the estuary adjacent to Batakan Beach. So far, there has been no sign of appearance of the two crocodiles, which were said to have considerable size.

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“The bait we put in the trap has not been touched by the crocodiles. We have even moved the place several times. So, we assign two patrol team to monitor the area intensely,” he said.

He said the team was still working in the field, and he will receve a report within the next three dayson the progress of the monitoring.

Regarding issues on social media that nine crocodiles appeared, he stated that the information could not be accounted for.

According to him, there must be a cause for wild crocodiles to appear at residential or beach area, for instance their habitat upstream is being disturbed, so they appear downstream in search of food.

“We urge people to limit activity in the river estuary and Batakan Beach area. If you find any signs of crocodile emergence, immediately contack BKSDA or local government,” said Suwandi.

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