Bandung, Indonesia Sentinel — A number of crocodiles escaped from a reptile captivity in Sayang Village, Cianjur District, West Java Province, after the facility’s wall collapsed following heavy rains. The incident, which occurred on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, has left the local community on edge as the exact number of crocodiles on the loose remains unknown. So far, only three of the escaped reptiles have been recaptured by local residents.
Videos shared on Instagram by the account @infojawabarat show the large reptiles being found in local residents’ fish ponds and rice fields. In these clips, locals and the joint response team are seen working together to capture the crocodiles.
The escape has sparked widespread concern among residents in the surrounding area. According to local reports, the crocodile breakout was triggered by the collapse of a concrete wall at the captivity after it was struck by torrential rainfall on Wednesday evening at around 7:00 PM.
“It seems that these dangerous crocodiles escaped when the wall of their enclosure gave way, allowing them to swim directly into the nearby river,” said Cianjur Police Chief Commissioner Cahyadi Mulya, during an interview with local journalists.
Since the incident, a joint team consisting of police, military personnel, local disaster relief authorities (BPBD), sanctuary workers, and community members has been working around the clock to track down the missing crocodiles. So far, three crocodiles, each measuring 3 meters in length and weighing around 90 kilograms, have been successfully captured.
According to Sayang Village Chief, Wiji Eko, the captivity housed an estimated 80 crocodiles, based on documentation from Indonesia’s Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA).
“These crocodiles have been under the care of this captivity since 2016, according to the BKSDA’s records. The paperwork I’ve seen indicates that around 80 crocodiles were being kept here,” Eko explained on Thursday, as stated from CNBC.
He confirmed that several of the crocodiles managed to escape following the wall’s collapse but could not provide an exact count.
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“The exact number of crocodiles that got out is still unclear. We’re currently combing the river and surrounding areas near the sanctuary. So far, three have been caught, two from the river and rice paddies, and another near the quarry,” Eko confirmed.
Eko urged local residents to remain vigilant and immediately report any sightings of the escaped reptiles. “I’ve already asked local neighborhood leaders to stay on alert. If anyone sees a crocodile, please report it right away,” he added.
The situation remains tense as authorities and locals continue their efforts to locate the remaining missing crocodiles.
(Raidi/Agung)
