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Islands in focus: 19 people fall prey to crocodiles in four years
At least 19 people in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) died after being attacked by crocodiles between 2011 and 2015 as development encroached on the reptileâs natural habitat, a survey revealed on Thursday
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t least 19 people in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) died after being attacked by crocodiles between 2011 and 2015 as development encroached on the reptile's natural habitat, a survey revealed on Thursday.
An NTT Center for Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) survey showed that four people reportedly died in attacks in 2015 alone.
'The real number of victims could be higher, as we recorded only those publicized in mass media or reported to the police,' NTT BKSDA technical division head Maman Surahman told The Jakarta Post.
Maman said that the people were attacked while fishing, doing daily chores or bathing in rivers. 'No one was attacked while traveling,' he said.
The NTT BKSDA was hunting the crocodiles in Kupang Bay, where they are common, to return them to their habitats, Maman said.
His institution, Maman said, had installed at least 18 large warning signs around Kupang Bay to prevent further attacks.
'The incidents happened because crocodile habitats have been destroyed by housing development projects in some coastal areas of the bay,' he added.
