Crocodile attacks are increasing in Indonesia. It has left the residents on the shore

Budong-Badong, Indonesia- Nearly seven months after a crocodile attack, Munirpa along with her husband and her children went to the mouth outside her house, which was ready to brave a rebirth.

Muntipa, who uses only one name like many Indonesians, said how one morning in August, how, she threw coverage from her home about 50 meters (164 feet) away from her house, as she would do normally.

He did not see what was coming next.

By the time he realized that a crocodile had attacked him, a four-meter-lumb (13-foot) animal had already immersed his teeth into most parts of his body, sparing his head only. He fought a tough fight, tried to nap his eyes. Her husband, hearing her screams, ran away and tried to pull her from the thigh of a crocodile. A tug-off-wise; Reptiles killed him with his tail. Fortunately, he saved Munirpa on time, eventually pulling her out of the crocodile’s grip.

People have long feared ancient poachers in the Mamuju district of Indonesia’s west Sulawesi, where the Budong-Badong River meets the sea. For the 48 -year -old Munirpa, this fear turned into a cruel reality when she became one of the recorded crocodile attacks in Indonesia last year. Residents like him are learning for co -existence with a legally protected species, crocodiles in Indonesia, as they balance protection in search of their safety. But as the attacks grow, many residents and experts have called for better government interventions to prevent the problem from getting worse.

After the attack, Munirpa was admitted to the hospital for a month and underwent two surgery. By February this year, his fear was still clearly visible, as there were marks on his legs and thighs.

“I am very scared. I do not want to go to the beach. Even behind the house, I don’t dare to leave,” Munirpa said. I am shocked. I asked my children not to go to the river, or not to go to the backyard or catch fish. “

In villages around the Budong-Budong River, such as Munirpa, crocodiles have become a daily subject of conversation. Their presence has become so common that warning signs now mark areas where they are lean, from river mouths to waterways that were sometimes a popular swimming site for children.

In 2024, 179 crocodile attacks in Indonesia, the most crocodile attacks in the world with 92 deadly, according to an independent database. Social media video crocodile showers and crocodile showers and attacks are also increasing in other areas of Indonesia.

Rusli Paralysis, a 39 -year -old crocodile handler, said that the attacks started to increase about 12 years ago with the rise of palm oil gardens around the river’s mouth. Some companies engraved artificial waterways, connected them to a large part of the Budong-Budong River. It was when crocodiles started wandering, left the river and explained to the nearby residential areas, such as fish and shrimp ponds.

Palm oil plantations now dominate the landscape from the mountains to the coast in West Sulawesi, and patrolling for crocodiles has become part of the daily routine of people. When residents examine water pumps in their ponds, they have no option but to have an eye on animals – flashlights in hand, up, down and across the canals and waterways, resigned from the uncomfortable reality of sharing their house with a hunter.

Since 1999, saltwater crocodiles in Indonesia are a legally protected species that makes it an animal that cannot be hunted independently. As a top hunter, there is no population control in nature.

Crocodile handler, Parilly, said that while the law prevents crocodiles from killing, increase in attacks is a major concern. In response, he took care of some crocodiles in a specially designed field away from the human population. He has received some financial assistance from the government and community donations, as well as support from palm oil companies for the last five years.

There are four ponds and about 50 reptiles in the field. The names of some are: the animal was caught after the tanker, the largest, a ship-shaped-shaped, or a karosa, the animal named after the sub-district.

When the money runs less, he uses his own money to ensure that they are fed, at least every four days.

Amir Hamidi, who studies reptiles in the National Research and Innovation Agency, concerns the increase in attacks, indicating that the crocodile number is becoming very dangerous. Hamidi supports better population control.

Being a preserved species “does not necessarily mean that the population cannot be reduced when it is at a level that is actually unsafe,” he said.

About a year ago in Tumbu village, Surdi, who goes by a name, was harvesting coconut when he fell into the river. When he went to retrieve them, he was attacked by a crocodile that he did not initially notice. He has been completely cured since then.

Nevertheless, experience has made him more alert. “Yes, I am worried. But what else can we do, “Surdy said.” The important thing is that we are quite careful. ,

Along with Munirpa, Surdi is one of the 10 people in the region who was attacked by a crocodile last year. Three of them were attacked.

Suyuti Marzuki, head of the West Sulawesi Marine and Fisheries Agency, said that crocodile residence is creating everyday activities of people – such as coconut harvesting, fishing or even disposal of waste such as Munirpa – very risky.

Marjuki said that the government is looking at potential options that can provide both security and economic options for the residents.

While he admitted that there is a need to preserve the number of crocodile population and ecosystem, Marjuki also increased the possibility of increasing the local economy through crocodile skin trade. This industry is controversial due to issues of conservation and animal welfare.

Crocodile handler, Parali also urged serious government interventions.

He said, “This is a matter of human life. So when the government is not serious, then in future our brothers and

Residents like Munirpa and Surdi are waiting for more immediate and realistic steps from the authorities to ensure the safety of their community and families.

Munirpa said, “It is enough that I have been bitten by a crocodile.”

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