Decks on croc river dismantled

SAMARINDA, East Kalimantan: Villagers in Sanga Sanga, Kutai regency, have dismantled wooden platforms used for washing dishes and clothes in a river after a crocodile tried to eat a girl on one of them last week.

They said the platforms were unsafe after the yellow crocodile, which eyewitnesses said was up to four meters long, mauled the 12-year-old girl.

"Most residents have demolished their platforms because they are scared of the beast," a resident, Mardiansyah, was quoted by Antara as saying.

The crocodile, belonging to a species commonly found in local tributaries, had devoured many goats, geese and chickens, villagers said.

They have been trying to bait and capture the crocodile with a chicken. (pan)