Three-Metre Crocodile Evacuated from Cihara Tourist Site

The Lebak Regency Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) in Banten has successfully captured a three-metre saltwater crocodile that had been alarming tourists around the Cihara River on Wednesday (19/8). The capture was carried out following reports from visitors to the Pasir Putih Beach tourist site in Cihara who felt threatened by the predator’s presence.

Lebak BPBD Head Sukanta explained that the evacuation took place in the early hours at around 1.10 a.m. Western Indonesia Time. The operation involved four BPBD personnel assisted by firefighters and officers from Panggarangan Police.

“Alhamdulillah, the capture of the large crocodile went smoothly, although it took approximately one hour,” Sukanta said, as quoted by Antara on Wednesday (19/8).

The crocodile is known to be quite large, with an estimated weight of 180 kilograms. Its presence in an area close to tourist swimming activities had triggered widespread fear before it was finally secured by officers.

Currently, the saltwater crocodile is being temporarily housed at the Fire Department Post for Sector 5 in Bayah. Officers have confirmed that the animal is in safe condition before being moved to a more suitable conservation location.

Later this afternoon, BPBD plans to coordinate the transfer of the crocodile to a crocodile breeding facility in South Tangerang. The facility is managed by the Banten Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) for further handling and to ensure the safety of the ecosystem and surrounding communities.