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The Star
09-05-2025
- The Star
Indonesia's crocodiles are back and fishermen have scars to prove it
Jamal remembers the day like it was yesterday. Four years ago, while fishing off the coast of Palu in Indonesia's Central Sulawesi province, his routine trip turned into a life-or-death battle. It all happened so fast, he said. Out on his boat alone in the early evening, Jamal was ambushed by a saltwater crocodile that climbed aboard and dragged him into the water. 'There were 10 bite marks on my body,' he recalled. 'I wrestled with the crocodile.' Acting on instinct, he grabbed a knife from his boat. 'Within five minutes, I stabbed its eye, and it let go. If we panic, we're done for.' Jamal survived. He swam back to his boat, steered it to shore, and ran to the nearest clinic. A week later, he was back at sea. 'I'm not afraid because the ocean is our livelihood,' he said. Jamal is one of a dozen fishermen in Indonesia who survived an attack from a 2.5m crocodile. A saltwater crocodile ready for its next meal scrounging on a rocky beach in Palu Bay in Central Sulawest, Indonesia. — Photos: MUHAMMAD TAUFAN/dpa Fatal attacks Jamal is one of the lucky ones. Many are less fortunate. In January 2024, Arjo, a fisherman from Bangka Island off Sumatra's eastern coast, was setting his nets in the shallow waters of the Nyire River when a crocodile struck. 'It grabbed me from behind and pulled me under,' Arjo, 34, said. 'I had no time to think - only to fight.' With his left hand, he clung desperately to a wooden pole while the crocodile's jaws crushed his right. In a desperate act of survival, he bit the reptile's face, hoping to startle it. After a gruelling 10 minutes, the predator finally released him. Bleeding heavily, Arjo swam to shore and walked nearly three kilometres before receiving help. He lost his hand but survived - an increasingly rare outcome in Indonesia's growing tally of crocodile attacks. Others weren't as lucky Recently, a 51-year-old man was pulled underwater by a crocodile while swimming off Palu on Sulawesi – an island between Borneo and New Guinea known for its coral reefs. Rescue workers who rushed to the scene found him caught in the large crocodile's jaw. The animal was shot dead – but it was too late for its victim. According to statistics from the independent CrocAttack database, there were 179 crocodile attacks on humans in Indonesia last year alone – far more than in any other country. For 92 victims, the encounter ended fatally. Often the bodies are never found. By comparison: in Australia, whose tropical regions are often portrayed as extremely dangerous, only seven attacks with three fatalities were recorded. Saltwater crocodiles are the largest reptiles in the world and can reach a length of seven metres. Fighting for resources Local fishermen say crocodile sightings have become increasingly common in many Indonesian regions where they were once rare. Amir Hamidy, a reptile expert at Indonesia's National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), says habitat loss and a growing human population on the world's largest island state are primarily responsible for the dangerous trend. 'As the crocodile population and the human population increase and compete for the same resources, interactions become inevitable,' says Hamidy. Indonesia is home to several crocodile species, but most conflicts arise with the saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus). It is the largest and most aggressive crocodile species and is found throughout South-East Asia and Australia. These animals can exceed six metres in length and are extremely territorial. They are also extremely adaptable and thrive in a variety of habitats, from rivers and mangrove forests to coastal waters. 'This adaptability, combined with their wide range, increases their chances of encountering humans,' Hamidy emphasises. Thriving in man-made waters Attacks are more frequent than average in the regions of East Kalimantan on Borneo and Bangka-Belitung off Sumatra. This is due not only to the increase in agriculture but also to mining activities. The often illegal tin mining in Bangka-Belitung has created many artificial bodies of water which are an ideal habitat for crocodiles in search of new hunting grounds. Around 90% of the tin exported by Indonesia comes from this province. Numerous prehistoric reptiles have now taken up residence in abandoned pits, says animal rights activist Endy Yusuf. The construction of canals for palm oil plantations and other changes to waterways have also created new habitats. As a result, the presence of crocodiles in populated areas has increased dramatically, often with fatal consequences. In Bangka alone, two people were killed and four others injured by crocodiles earlier this year. Yusuf believes the real numbers are likely much higher due to underreporting. One local fisherman, Arjo, narrowly escaped death after an attack in the Nyire River because, according to his own account, he managed to bite the crocodile in the face with his last ounce of strength. After a desperate 10-minute fight, the animal finally let go of him, he says. But Arjo lost his right hand in the fight with the croc. Population spike Once heavily hunted for their meat and leather, crocodiles in Indonesia were pushed to the brink of extinction. Crocodile meat is considered a delicacy, and crocodile leather is used to make luxury handbags, belts and boots. According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), numerous crocodile species were hunted so heavily in the past that they almost became extinct. Since banning large-scale crocodile hunting in the late 1990s, Indonesia has seen a rebound in populations across much of the country – but some regions remain exceptions. On the densely populated main island of Java, saltwater crocodiles are practically extinct due to the extensive destruction of their habitat and years of hunting. Lack of warning systems On many other islands, however, the armoured animals remain a huge problem. In contrast to other countries – such as Australia, where exclusion zones and warning systems help to minimise conflicts between crocodiles and humans – there are no such protective measures in Indonesia. At the same time, rivers and the sea are the livelihood of many Indonesians and an integral part of everyday life. Crocodile expert Hamidy says: 'We have to find ways to coexist while minimising the risks for humans and crocodiles.' Yet how to accomplish this remains unclear. – By AHMAD PATHONI and CAROLA FRENTZEN/dpa
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Yahoo
Indonesia's crocodiles are back and fishermen have scars to prove it
Jamal remembers the day like it was yesterday. Four years ago, while fishing off the coast of Palu in Indonesia's Central Sulawesi province, his routine trip turned into a life-or-death battle. It all happened so fast, he said. Out on his boat alone in the early evening, Jamal was ambushed by a saltwater crocodile that climbed aboard and dragged him into the water. "There were 10 bite marks on my body," he recalled. "I wrestled with the crocodile." Acting on instinct, he grabbed a knife from his boat. "Within five minutes, I stabbed its eye, and it let go. If we panic, we're done for." Jamal survived. He swam back to his boat, steered it to shore, and ran to the nearest clinic. A week later, he was back at sea. "I'm not afraid because the ocean is our livelihood," he said. World's highest number of fatal attacks Jamal is one of the lucky ones. Many are less fortunate. In January 2024, Arjo, a fisherman from Bangka Island off Sumatra's eastern coast, was setting his nets in the shallow waters of the Nyire River when a crocodile struck. "It grabbed me from behind and pulled me under," Arjo, 34, said. "I had no time to think - only to fight." With his left hand, he clung desperately to a wooden pole while the crocodile's jaws crushed his right. In a desperate act of survival, he bit the reptile's face, hoping to startle it. After a gruelling 10 minutes, the predator finally released him. Bleeding heavily, Arjo swam to shore and walked nearly three kilometres before receiving help. He lost his hand but survived - an increasingly rare outcome in Indonesia's growing tally of crocodile attacks. Others weren't as lucky Recently, a 51-year-old man was pulled underwater by a crocodile while swimming off Palu on Sulawesi - an island between Borneo and New Guinea known for its coral reefs. Rescue workers who rushed to the scene found him caught in the large crocodile's jaw. The animal was shot dead - but it was too late for its victim. According to statistics from the independent CrocAttack database, there were 179 crocodile attacks on humans in Indonesia last year alone - far more than in any other country. For 92 victims, the encounter ended fatally. Often the bodies are never found. By comparison: in Australia, whose tropical regions are often portrayed as extremely dangerous, only seven attacks with three fatalities were recorded. Humans and wildlife fight for resources Local fishermen say crocodile sightings have become increasingly common in many Indonesian regions where they were once rare. Amir Hamidy, a reptile expert at Indonesia's National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), says habitat loss and a growing human population on the world's largest island state are primarily responsible for the dangerous trend. "As the crocodile population and the human population increase and compete for the same resources, interactions become inevitable," says Hamidy. Saltwater crocodile: Largest and most aggressive species Indonesia is home to several crocodile species, but most conflicts arise with the saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus). It is the largest and most aggressive crocodile species and is found throughout South-East Asia and Australia. These animals can exceed six metres in length and are extremely territorial. They are also extremely adaptable and thrive in a variety of habitats, from rivers and mangrove forests to coastal waters. "This adaptability, combined with their wide range, increases their chances of encountering humans," Hamidy emphasizes. Crocodiles thriving in man-made waters Attacks are more frequent than average in the regions of East Kalimantan on Borneo and Bangka-Belitung off Sumatra. This is due not only to the increase in agriculture but also to mining activities. The often illegal tin mining in Bangka-Belitung has created many artificial bodies of water which are an ideal habitat for crocodiles in search of new hunting grounds. Around 90% of the tin exported by Indonesia comes from this province. Numerous prehistoric reptiles have now taken up residence in abandoned pits, says animal rights activist Endy Yusuf. The construction of canals for palm oil plantations and other changes to waterways have also created new habitats. As a result, the presence of crocodiles in populated areas has increased dramatically. Often with fatal consequences. In Bangka alone, two people were killed and four others injured by crocodiles earlier this year. Yusuf believes the real numbers are likely much higher due to underreporting. One local fisherman, Arjo, narrowly escaped death after an attack in the Nyire River because, according to his own account, he managed to bite the crocodile in the face with his last ounce of strength. After a desperate 10-minute fight, the animal finally let go of him, he says. But Arjo lost his right hand in the fight with the croc. Hunting ban fuels population spike Once heavily hunted for their meat and leather, crocodiles in Indonesia were pushed to the brink of extinction. Crocodile meat is considered a delicacy, and crocodile leather is used to make luxury handbags, belts and boots. According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), numerous crocodile species were hunted so heavily in the past that they almost became extinct. Since banning large-scale crocodile hunting in the late 1990s, Indonesia has seen a rebound in populations across much of the country — but some regions remain exceptions. On the densely populated main island of Java, saltwater crocodiles are practically extinct due to the extensive destruction of their habitat and years of hunting. Lack of warning systems On many other islands, however, the armoured animals remain a huge problem. In contrast to other countries - such as Australia, where exclusion zones and warning systems help to minimize conflicts between crocodiles and humans - there are no such protective measures in Indonesia. At the same time, rivers and the sea are the livelihood of many Indonesians and an integral part of everyday life. Crocodile expert Hamidy says: "We have to find ways to coexist while minimizing the risks for humans and crocodiles." Yet how to accomplish this, remains unclear.
Arab Times
17-03-2025
- General
- Arab Times
Crocodile attacks in Indonesia on the rise
BUDONG-BUDONG, Indonesia, March 17, (AP): Nearly seven months after a crocodile attack almost took her life, Munirpa walked to the estuary outside her home with her husband and her children, ready to brave a reenactment. Munirpa, who like many Indonesians only uses one name, recounted how one early morning in August, she threw her household garbage into a creek about 50 meters (164 feet) away from her house, as she normally would. She didn't see what was coming next. By the time she realized a crocodile had attacked her, the four-meter-long (13-foot) beast had already sunk its teeth into most of her body, sparing only her head. She fought hard, trying to jab its eyes. Her husband, hearing her screams, ran over and tried to pull her by the thigh out of the crocodile's jaws. A tug-of-war ensued; the reptile whipped him with its tail. Fortunately, he saved Munirpa in time, eventually dragging her out of the crocodile's grip. People have long feared the ancient predators in the Central Mamuju district of Indonesia's West Sulawesi, where the Budong-Budong River meets the sea. For Munirpa, 48, that fear turned into a brutal reality when she became one of nearly 180 recorded crocodile attack victims in Indonesia last year. Residents like her are learning to coexist with the crocodiles, a legally protected species in Indonesia, as they balance conservation with looking out for their safety. But as attacks rise, several residents and experts have called for better government interventions to stop the problem from getting even worse. Following the attack, Munirpa was hospitalized for a month and has had two surgeries. By February this year, her fear was still clearly visible, as were the scars on her legs and thighs. "I am so scared. I don't want to go to the beach. Even to the back of the house, I don't dare to go," said Munirpa. "I am traumatized. I asked my children not to go to the river, or to the backyard, or go fishing." In the villages surrounding the Budong-Budong River, like Munirpa's, crocodiles have become a daily topic of conversation. Their presence has become so common that warning signs now mark the areas where they lurk, from the river mouth to the waterways which were once a popular swimming spot for children. In 2024, there were 179 crocodile attacks in Indonesia, the highest number of crocodile attacks in the world, with 92 fatalities, according to CrocAttack, an independent database. Social media videos showing crocodile appearances and attacks in Sulawesi and other regions in Indonesia are also on the rise.
The Hill
17-03-2025
- The Hill
Crocodile attacks in Indonesia are on the rise. It's left residents on edge
BUDONG-BUDONG, Indonesia (AP) — Nearly seven months after a crocodile attack almost took her life, Munirpa walked to the estuary outside her home with her husband and her children, ready to brave a reenactment. Munirpa, who like many Indonesians only uses one name, recounted how one early morning in August, she threw her household garbage into a creek about 50 meters (164 feet) away from her house, as she normally would. She didn't see what was coming next. By the time she realized a crocodile had attacked her, the four-meter-long (13-foot) beast had already sunk its teeth into most of her body, sparing only her head. She fought hard, trying to jab its eyes. Her husband, hearing her screams, ran over and tried to pull her by the thigh out of the crocodile's jaws. A tug-of-war ensued; the reptile whipped him with its tail. Fortunately, he saved Munirpa in time, eventually dragging her out of the crocodile's grip. People have long feared the ancient predators in the Central Mamuju district of Indonesia's West Sulawesi, where the Budong-Budong River meets the sea. For Munirpa, 48, that fear turned into a brutal reality when she became one of nearly 180 recorded crocodile attack victims in Indonesia last year. Residents like her are learning to coexist with the crocodiles, a legally protected species in Indonesia, as they balance conservation with looking out for their safety. But as attacks rise, several residents and experts have called for better government interventions to stop the problem from getting even worse. Communities near the crocodiles are on edge Following the attack, Munirpa was hospitalized for a month and has had two surgeries. By February this year, her fear was still clearly visible, as were the scars on her legs and thighs. 'I am so scared. I don't want to go to the beach. Even to the back of the house, I don't dare to go,' said Munirpa. 'I am traumatized. I asked my children not to go to the river, or to the backyard, or go fishing.' In the villages surrounding the Budong-Budong River, like Munirpa's, crocodiles have become a daily topic of conversation. Their presence has become so common that warning signs now mark the areas where they lurk, from the river mouth to the waterways which were once a popular swimming spot for children. In 2024, there were 179 crocodile attacks in Indonesia, the highest number of crocodile attacks in the world, with 92 fatalities, according to CrocAttack, an independent database. Social media videos showing crocodile appearances and attacks in Sulawesi and other regions in Indonesia are also on the rise. The increase in attacks began about 12 years ago with the rise of palm oil plantations around the river mouth, said 39-year-old crocodile handler Rusli Paraili. Some companies carved artificial waterways, linking them to the larger part of the Budong-Budong River. That was when the crocodiles started straying, leaving the river and creeping to nearby residential areas, such as fish and shrimp ponds, he explained. Palm oil plantations now dominate the landscape in West Sulawesi, from the mountains to the coast, and patrolling for crocodiles has become part of people's daily routine. When residents check the water pumps in their ponds, they have no choice but to keep out an eye for the beasts — flashlights in hand, scouring up, down and across canals and waterways — resigned to the uneasy reality of sharing their home with a predator. Balancing conservation and safety The saltwater crocodile has been a legally protected species in Indonesia since 1999, making it an animal that cannot be hunted freely. As a top predator, there is also no population control in nature. Paraili, the crocodile handler, said that while the law protects crocodiles from being killed, the rise in attacks is a major concern. In response, he's taken care of some of the crocs in a specially-designed farm away from human populations. He's received some financial support from the government and community donations, as well as support from palm oil companies for the last five years. The farm has four ponds and around 50 reptiles. Some have names: Tanker, the largest, shaped like a ship, or Karossa, named after the sub-district the animal was caught after fatally attacking someone. When funds run low, he uses his own money to ensure they're fed, at least once every four days. Amir Hamidy, who studies reptiles at the National Research and Innovation Agency, worries the rise in attacks indicates that crocodile numbers are becoming far too dangerous. Hamidy supports better population control. Being a protected species 'does not necessarily mean that the population cannot be reduced when it is at a level that is indeed unsafe,' he said. Improving protection for residents Around a year ago in Tumbu village, Suardi, who goes by one name, was harvesting coconuts when they fell into the river. When he went to retrieve them, he was attacked by a crocodile he initially didn't notice. He's since made a full recovery. Still, the experience has made him more cautious. 'Yes, I am worried. But what else can we do,' Suardi said. 'The important thing is that we are careful enough.' Along with Munirpa, Suardi is one of 10 people in the region who was attacked by a crocodile last year. Three of those attacked were killed. Suyuti Marzuki, who's head of West Sulawesi Marine and Fisheries Agency, said the crocodile habitat shift is making people's everyday activities — like harvesting coconuts, fishing or even disposing of garbage like Munirpa — very risky. Marzuki said the government is looking at possible options that can provide both safety and economic alternatives for residents. While he acknowledged that crocodile population numbers and ecosystems need to be protected, Marzuki also raised the possibility of bolstering the local economy through the crocodile skin trade. That industry is controversial because of conservation and animal welfare issues. Paraili, the crocodile handler, also urged serious government interventions. 'This is a matter of human lives. So when the government is not serious, then our brothers and sisters in the future — in 5 or 15 years — there will be even more who will die from being attacked by crocodiles,' he said. Residents like Munirpa and Suardi are waiting for more immediate and realistic steps from the authorities to ensure their community's and families' safety. 'It is enough that I've been bitten by a crocodile,' Munirpa said. 'I won't let it happen to my children.' ___ The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at
The Independent
17-03-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Crocodile attacks in Indonesia are on the rise. It's left residents on edge
Nearly seven months after a crocodile attack almost took her life, Munirpa walked to the estuary outside her home with her husband and her children, ready to brave a reenactment. Munirpa, who like many Indonesians only uses one name, recounted how one early morning in August, she threw her household garbage into a creek about 50 meters (164 feet) away from her house, as she normally would. She didn't see what was coming next. By the time she realized a crocodile had attacked her, the four-meter-long (13-foot) beast had already sunk its teeth into most of her body, sparing only her head. She fought hard, trying to jab its eyes. Her husband, hearing her screams, ran over and tried to pull her by the thigh out of the crocodile's jaws. A tug-of-war ensued; the reptile whipped him with its tail. Fortunately, he saved Munirpa in time, eventually dragging her out of the crocodile's grip. People have long feared the ancient predators in the Central Mamuju district of Indonesia's West Sulawesi, where the Budong-Budong River meets the sea. For Munirpa, 48, that fear turned into a brutal reality when she became one of nearly 180 recorded crocodile attack victims in Indonesia last year. Residents like her are learning to coexist with the crocodiles, a legally protected species in Indonesia, as they balance conservation with looking out for their safety. But as attacks rise, several residents and experts have called for better government interventions to stop the problem from getting even worse. Communities near the crocodiles are on edge Following the attack, Munirpa was hospitalized for a month and has had two surgeries. By February this year, her fear was still clearly visible, as were the scars on her legs and thighs. 'I am so scared. I don't want to go to the beach. Even to the back of the house, I don't dare to go," said Munirpa. 'I am traumatized. I asked my children not to go to the river, or to the backyard, or go fishing." In the villages surrounding the Budong-Budong River, like Munirpa's, crocodiles have become a daily topic of conversation. Their presence has become so common that warning signs now mark the areas where they lurk, from the river mouth to the waterways which were once a popular swimming spot for children. In 2024, there were 179 crocodile attacks in Indonesia, the highest number of crocodile attacks in the world, with 92 fatalities, according to CrocAttack, an independent database. Social media videos showing crocodile appearances and attacks in Sulawesi and other regions in Indonesia are also on the rise. The increase in attacks began about 12 years ago with the rise of palm oil plantations around the river mouth, said 39-year-old crocodile handler Rusli Paraili. Some companies carved artificial waterways, linking them to the larger part of the Budong-Budong River. That was when the crocodiles started straying, leaving the river and creeping to nearby residential areas, such as fish and shrimp ponds, he explained. Palm oil plantations now dominate the landscape in West Sulawesi, from the mountains to the coast, and patrolling for crocodiles has become part of people's daily routine. When residents check the water pumps in their ponds, they have no choice but to keep out an eye for the beasts — flashlights in hand, scouring up, down and across canals and waterways — resigned to the uneasy reality of sharing their home with a predator. Balancing conservation and safety The saltwater crocodile has been a legally protected species in Indonesia since 1999, making it an animal that cannot be hunted freely. As a top predator, there is also no population control in nature. Paraili, the crocodile handler, said that while the law protects crocodiles from being killed, the rise in attacks is a major concern. In response, he's taken care of some of the crocs in a specially-designed farm away from human populations. He's received some financial support from the government and community donations, as well as support from palm oil companies for the last five years. The farm has four ponds and around 50 reptiles. Some have names: Tanker, the largest, shaped like a ship, or Karossa, named after the sub-district the animal was caught after fatally attacking someone. When funds run low, he uses his own money to ensure they're fed, at least once every four days. Amir Hamidy, who studies reptiles at the National Research and Innovation Agency, worries the rise in attacks indicates that crocodile numbers are becoming far too dangerous. Hamidy supports better population control. Being a protected species 'does not necessarily mean that the population cannot be reduced when it is at a level that is indeed unsafe," he said. Improving protection for residents Around a year ago in Tumbu village, Suardi, who goes by one name, was harvesting coconuts when they fell into the river. When he went to retrieve them, he was attacked by a crocodile he initially didn't notice. He's since made a full recovery. Still, the experience has made him more cautious. 'Yes, I am worried. But what else can we do," Suardi said. 'The important thing is that we are careful enough.' Along with Munirpa, Suardi is one of 10 people in the region who was attacked by a crocodile last year. Three of those attacked were killed. Suyuti Marzuki, who's head of West Sulawesi Marine and Fisheries Agency, said the crocodile habitat shift is making people's everyday activities — like harvesting coconuts, fishing or even disposing of garbage like Munirpa — very risky. Marzuki said the government is looking at possible options that can provide both safety and economic alternatives for residents. While he acknowledged that crocodile population numbers and ecosystems need to be protected, Marzuki also raised the possibility of bolstering the local economy through the crocodile skin trade. That industry is controversial because of conservation and animal welfare issues. Paraili, the crocodile handler, also urged serious government interventions. "This is a matter of human lives. So when the government is not serious, then our brothers and sisters in the future — in 5 or 15 years — there will be even more who will die from being attacked by crocodiles,' he said. Residents like Munirpa and Suardi are waiting for more immediate and realistic steps from the authorities to ensure their community's and families' safety. 'It is enough that I've been bitten by a crocodile," Munirpa said. 'I won't let it happen to my children.' ___ The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at
