Indonesia: Crocodile is in tires – reward for rescue

A saltwater crocodile in a river on the island of Sulawesi has been in need for three years: an Indonesian authority has promised a reward for saving the reptile, whose neck is stuck in a hoop. We are looking for a brave man who will master this challenge – and who will also survive the encounter with the four-meter-long crocodile in Palu, the capital of the province of Central Sulawesi.

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The animal got caught in a motorcycle tire. A video showing the reptile gasping caused concern that it might suffocate. Attempts to save the animal have so far been unsuccessful: animal rights activists from Australia, an adventurer and even people with supposedly supernatural powers failed.

The chief of the agency pays

“Whoever can remove the tire from the crocodile’s neck will get the reward,” said regional conservation chief Hasmuni Hasmar. He would pay the money out of his own pocket.

It should be a decent sum – how much exactly, Hasmar did not say: He fears that this could attract unqualified people who are at risk – because there are almost 40 crocodiles in the area. We are looking for experts with experience in saving wildlife.

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Giving the tire reptile a sedative in the water is out of the question, said the head of the agency: “If we go down there, other crocodiles can attack us.”

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