Crocodile in Indonesia freed after five years trapped in tyre
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A photo from Jan 16, 2018, shows a saltwater crocodile with a tyre around its neck in Palu river in Indonesia.
PHOTO: AFP
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PALU, INDONESIA (AFP, REUTERS) - A wild crocodile which has swum around with a motorcycle tyre stuck around its neck for six years, has finally been freed by an animal lover on the island of Sulawesi, Indonesian officials and residents said on Tuesday (Feb 8).
Conservation workers have been trying to lure the stricken saltwater crocodile from a river since 2016, after residents of Palu city on Sulawesi island spotted the reptile and feared the tyre might eventually choke it as it grew in size.
But it was a local resident who snared the 5.2m long reptile - which was regularly seen sunbathing in the Palu river in Central Sulawesi - from its tight squeeze late on Monday.
Mr Tili, a 34-year-old bird-seller, used chicken as bait and ropes to catch the beast at the end of what he said was a three-week rescue effort, before dozens of locals helped to drag the crocodile to shore and cut the tyre around its neck.
"I just wanted to help, I hate seeing animals trapped and suffering," Mr Tili, who like many Indonesians uses only one name, told AFP.
His first two attempts to rescue the crocodile failed because the ropes were not strong enough to contend with its weight, he said, before turning to nylon ropes used for tugging boats.
"I was already exhausted so I let them finish the rescue, the crocodile was unbelievably heavy, everybody was sweating and getting very tired."
The crocodile was released back into the water immediately after the rescue to relieved cheers from locals.
Conservationists believe someone may have deliberately placed the tyre around the croc's neck in a failed attempt to trap it as a pet in the archipelago nation that is home to several species of the animal.
<p>Locals prepare to release a wild crocodile back to the river after removing a tyre from its neck, in Palu, Central Sulawesi province, Indonesia, February 7, 2022, in this photo taken by Antara Foto February 7, 2022. Antara Foto/Basri Marzuki/ via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. MANDATORY CREDIT. INDONESIA OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN INDONESIA.</p>
PHOTO: X03535
Mr Tili beat the authorities to the capture because they lacked the proper equipment for a rescue in the river that houses more than 30 other crocodiles.
"Yesterday was a historical day for us, we are grateful the crocodile was finally rescued and we appreciate the locals who showed concern for the wildlife," said the local conservation agency chief Hasmuni Hasmar.
The reptile made headlines in early 2020 when the local government promised a reward to anyone who caught the crocodile and removed the tyre, but later called off the contest over fears it could endanger its safety.
But the local conservation agency said Mr Tili is in line for a prize after his daring plan paid off. "We will award Tili for his effort in rescuing the wildlife," it said.
