Jakarta –
A crocodile carrying the body of a baby who sank to the bottom of the Mahakam River, Kutai Kartanegara (East Kalimantan) had caused a stir. The crocodile will not be evacuated from the Mahakam river.
Reported detikSulsel, the crocodile carried the body of a toddler named Muhammad Ziyad Wijaya (4). The body of toddler Ziyad was brought by the crocodile to his family who were on the banks of the Mahakam river after two days of missing.
“Around 7 in the morning the team received information from the family that they saw a crocodile carrying a human body. After being released, it turned out that the body was the child we were looking for,” said the Head of the East Kalimantan Basarnas Search and Relief Office, Melkianus Kotta, when contacted. detikcomFriday (20/1).
Taken to the Riverside
The victim’s body was found in Muara Jawa Waters, East Kutai. At that time the victim was brought from the middle of the river to the river bank and was awaited by the family.
“The distance from the location of the incident was 1.5 kilometers. When the crocodile was near the family, the victim immediately released it,” he said.
Melkianus said the crocodile carried the toddler’s body by biting the victim’s back.
“Informed by the team in the field at that time the crocodile bit the boy’s back with his mouth,” said Melkianus.
The victim’s body was returned by the crocodile with the condition of the body still intact. Basarnas claimed that it was helped because the victim could be found.
“Nothing is missing, everything is intact. So if this crocodile is in us, it will help find victims,” he concluded.
Crocodiles Will Not Be Moved
The East Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) revealed that the crocodile was still allowed to live in the Mahakam river. The estuarine crocodile is said not to have been evacuated because the area has become its habitat.
“There was no evacuation, because that’s crocodile habitat there. Before we were there they were already there and because they were already there it was rather difficult to evacuate them,” explained Head of the East Kalimantan BKSDA Matheas Ari Wibawanto when contacted detikcomSunday (22/1/2023).
Ari said the Mahakam River is indeed a habitat for reptiles. According to him, there are hundreds of crocodiles of various sizes in these waters.
“The number is between tens or even hundreds, because in the estuary it is their habitat and as a place for children to breed. They also have various sizes,” he explained.
Ari further emphasized that the local community remains vigilant when doing activities in locations, especially in the estuary area. BKSDA has also conducted outreach and education to residents.
“We have conducted several outreach to the community. And they actually already understand this. Because when people build houses on the banks of the river, they already understand that there is crocodile habitat there,” he said.
His party has also installed warning signs in locations that are often crocodile habitat areas. This is to anticipate cases of crocodile attacks on humans.
“So people have to be more careful, especially when doing activities on the banks of the river, because crocodiles are our concern because these animals are protected,” concluded Ari.
Chronology of Crocodiles Bringing Toddler’s Body Home
(deck/deck)
