Ambon, Maluku, July 3 (Antara) - The Nature Conservation Agency (BKSDA) of Maluku will release a baby estuarine crocodile (Crocodylus Porosus) found by Larike villagers in West Leihitu Sub-district, Central Maluku District, into the habitat on Sapalewa Island, North Seram.
Head of Maluku BKSDA Mukhtar Amin Ahmadi stated that the estuarine crocodile found in the Waisekat River, Larike Village, measuring 132 centimeters in length and weighing six kilograms, is temporarily in captivity in Ambon City.
"Furthermore, the crocodile will soon be released into its habitat in the village of North Sapalewa Seram, since the Liewe Waiseket River is not its habitat," he noted here on Tuesday.
The Wiseket Larike River is not the habitat of estuarine crocodiles, but three kilometers from there, Ala River, is a habitat for the crocodiles.
"BKSDA officers will conduct a sweep of the Waisekat River to ensure the existence of the mother of the crocodile. We will also examine the cause of crocodile release from its habitat," he remarked.
Ahmadi explained that the officers conducted the sweep operation to ensure no crocodile is found.
Waiseket River is usually used by the people to bathe and wash, so this finding is quite disturbing for them.
"Now, there is no prohibition on the residents to wash and bathe there. However, they must be careful to avoid crocodile attacks," he stated.
Residents must report to the BKSDA officer via telephone if they find any estuarine crocodile, as it is classified as a protected animal.
"Based on information from the community, there were four crocodiles in the area, but they gradually breed and continue to grow," he added.
"The population continues to grow," he noted.
An estuarine crocodile will be released into its habitat, as there is no conservation institution in Maluku.
Currently, crocodile habitats in Maluku are on the island of Buru as well as Saumlaki, West Maluku Tenggara.
(INE)
COPYRIGHT © ANTARA News Ambon, Maluku 2018
Head of Maluku BKSDA Mukhtar Amin Ahmadi stated that the estuarine crocodile found in the Waisekat River, Larike Village, measuring 132 centimeters in length and weighing six kilograms, is temporarily in captivity in Ambon City.
"Furthermore, the crocodile will soon be released into its habitat in the village of North Sapalewa Seram, since the Liewe Waiseket River is not its habitat," he noted here on Tuesday.
The Wiseket Larike River is not the habitat of estuarine crocodiles, but three kilometers from there, Ala River, is a habitat for the crocodiles.
"BKSDA officers will conduct a sweep of the Waisekat River to ensure the existence of the mother of the crocodile. We will also examine the cause of crocodile release from its habitat," he remarked.
Ahmadi explained that the officers conducted the sweep operation to ensure no crocodile is found.
Waiseket River is usually used by the people to bathe and wash, so this finding is quite disturbing for them.
"Now, there is no prohibition on the residents to wash and bathe there. However, they must be careful to avoid crocodile attacks," he stated.
Residents must report to the BKSDA officer via telephone if they find any estuarine crocodile, as it is classified as a protected animal.
"Based on information from the community, there were four crocodiles in the area, but they gradually breed and continue to grow," he added.
"The population continues to grow," he noted.
An estuarine crocodile will be released into its habitat, as there is no conservation institution in Maluku.
Currently, crocodile habitats in Maluku are on the island of Buru as well as Saumlaki, West Maluku Tenggara.
(INE)
Editor : John Nikita S
COPYRIGHT © ANTARA News Ambon, Maluku 2018