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Crocodile horror: 80-year-old dies in attack in Sumatra
A crocodile kills an 80-year-old man in Sumatra while he is bathing in the river. Experts warn of increasing attacks.
Crocodile horror: 80-year-old dies in attack in Sumatra
A tragic accident occurred on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, where an 80-year-old man was caught by a crocodile. Loud PZ News The old man was about to take a refreshing swim in the shallow waters of the Way Semaka River after a day in the garden when disaster struck. Witnesses reported that the crocodile was acting suspiciously in the water while the man left his clothes on the bank.
What is shocking is that the crocodile appeared about an hour later with the man's lifeless body in its mouth and dragged him about 200 meters away. Despite efforts by villagers to drive the animal away with stones, any help came too late. The man was already dead when he was rescued. Police have subsequently warned residents of the dangers along the river, which is known to be a popular habitat for crocodiles.
Increase in crocodile attacks
The incident is not isolated. In recent years, the number of crocodile attacks in Indonesia has increased dramatically. Between 2015 and 2024, 1,167 people were attacked by crocodiles in the country, more than any other country in the world, with a tragic 556 deaths, as reported South German newspaper reported. In 2022 alone there were 179 crocodile attacks, 92 of which were fatal.
Experts attribute this worrying development to a variety of factors. Amir Hamidy, a reptile expert, highlights that population growth and environmental changes are causing the crocodile population and human interactions to increase. Areas such as East Kalimantan and Bangka-Belitung, where mining and agriculture create habitats for crocodiles, are particularly problematic.
Lack of protective measures
Indonesia lacks effective warning systems and protective measures that are established in other countries, such as Australia. There are comprehensive regulations there to minimize the dangers posed by crocodiles. Compared to Indonesia, where there were a remarkable 179 attacks over the same period, Australia only recorded seven cases. Three of these attacks were fatal, underscoring the threat to the lives of fishermen and residents in Indonesia.
The most common attackers are saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus), the largest crocodile species known for their adaptability in a variety of habitats. Fisher Jamal from Central Sulawesi reported a self-protective instinct when he was attacked and survived through a courageous fight. Such stories are alarming evidence of a problem that is becoming increasingly pressing.
Given the increasing number of crocodile attacks, experts say that ways of coexistence between humans and animals must be found. Without action, the number of tragedies like that of the 80-year-old man in Sumatra is unlikely to decrease, and village communities will continue to live in fear of crocodiles coming near them.