Crocodile sparks panic as it rampages through supermarket in Indonesia

Daily Mail​

a day ago

Terrified shoppers have cowered in fear after they were suddenly confronted by a three-metre-long crocodile pacing through the aisles of an Indonesian supermarket.
Fearless bystanders filmed the croc inside the store on Taliabu Island, 1,300km north-east of Bali, as it struggled for grip on the slippery tiles in the cereal and snack aisles.
Firefighters later arrived and attempted to guide the crocodile out of the store using a stepladder, but the reptile snapped at the improvised tool and lashed its tail in anger.
After a battle of wits lasting nearly an hour, the crocodile finally exited the store and sat beside a puddle outside, as locals planned their next move.
One man, casually smoking a cigarette, managed to coil a rope around the croc's legs, while a helmet-clad firefighter tied another rope into a lasso.
One bystander grabbed the crocodile's tail to steady it as the firefighter slipped the lasso over its head and covered its eyes with a towel.
He then squatted on the beast as he pinned down its head, while others secured its legs and snout.
Five firefighters then picked up the crocodile and carried it to their truck before releasing it in a nearby body of water.
The crocodile is understood to have crawled out from a nearby swamp after recent rains.
'The evacuation took over an hour,' island police chief, Senior Assistant Commissioner Adnan Wahyu, said.
'The crocodile was secured by three Taliabu firefighters [before] the fire department team released the crocodile back into the water, which we believe is its home.'
Mr Adnan confirmed the crocodile had not attacked anyone.
'There has been a lot of rain recently, so more crocodiles could come up from the water. Anyone who sees them should call the police,' he said.
Just last week in Sulawesi, the major island due east of Taliabu Island, a crocodile killed a 53-year-old man in front of his family.
Footage of the attack showed the crocodile approaching the father-of-four, identified in INdonesian media as a local man named Arifuddin.
He could be heard crying out in agony as the reptile clamped down on his body and pulled him into the water.
His last act alive was to desperately reach out with one arm and try to stay afloat.
Locals later spied the crocodile dragging the 53-year-old's limp and muddied body through the swamp.
They chased the reptile away with rocks and retrieved Arifuddin's remains.
Indonesia is home to 14 species of crocodiles, including large and aggressive estuarine crocodiles that thrive in the country's tropical conditions.
Saltwater crocodiles are more prevalent in the country than their smaller, freshwater counterparts. Adult male saltwater crocodiles can grow to seven metres in length.
Experts believe overfishing and the destruction of coastal habitats for farming have forced the animals further inland in search of food. Tin mining has also driven people closer to crocodile territory, increasing the likelihood of encounters.
Indonesia records more crocodile attacks each year than any other country.
Last year, the country saw 179 attacks, resulting in 92 deaths.
In Australia, by contrast, there are an average of one to two crocodile deaths each year.