KUPANG: An Indonesian city has hit on an original idea to rid its popular beaches of crocodiles — it will offer cash prizes to people who catch the man-eating reptiles, an official said Friday.
The population of dangerous saltwater crocodiles around two beaches near Kupang in eastern Indonesia has been increasing in recent years and there have been reports of tourists being attacked.
Authorities now plan to launch a competition offering cash prizes of five million rupiah ($380) to animal experts for each of the reptiles caught alive, said local tourism chief Marius Ardu Jelamu.
“We have warned visitors to be careful when visiting the beaches but it’s not enough, we must do something,” Jelamu told AFP. “Some of these animals are three to four metres (10 to 13 feet) long, this is very scary.”
Jelamu said the scheme was aimed at only people experienced in dealing with crocodiles — not the general public — and the animals would likely be caught using tranquilliser guns and ropes.
Indonesian crocodile catchers to snap up prizes KUPANG: An Indonesian city has hit on an original idea to rid its popular beaches of crocodiles — it will offer cash prizes to people who catch the man-eating reptiles, an official said Friday.
The population of dangerous saltwater crocodiles around two beaches near Kupang in eastern Indonesia has been increasing in recent years and there have been reports of tourists being attacked.
Authorities now plan to launch a competition offering cash prizes of five million rupiah ($380) to animal experts for each of the reptiles caught alive, said local tourism chief Marius Ardu Jelamu.
“We have warned visitors to be careful when visiting the beaches but it’s not enough, we must do something,” Jelamu told AFP. “Some of these animals are three to four metres (10 to 13 feet) long, this is very scary.”
Jelamu said the scheme was aimed at only people experienced in dealing with crocodiles — not the general public — and the animals would likely be caught using tranquilliser guns and ropes.
Indonesian crocodile catchers to snap up prizes KUPANG: An Indonesian city has hit on an original idea to rid its popular beaches of crocodiles — it will offer cash prizes to people who catch the man-eating reptiles, an official said Friday.
The population of dangerous saltwater crocodiles around two beaches near Kupang in eastern Indonesia has been increasing in recent years and there have been reports of tourists being attacked.
Authorities now plan to launch a competition offering cash prizes of five million rupiah ($380) to animal experts for each of the reptiles caught alive, said local tourism chief Marius Ardu Jelamu.
“We have warned visitors to be careful when visiting the beaches but it’s not enough, we must do something,” Jelamu told AFP. “Some of these animals are three to four metres (10 to 13 feet) long, this is very scary.”
Jelamu said the scheme was aimed at only people experienced in dealing with crocodiles — not the general public — and the animals would likely be caught using tranquilliser guns and ropes.
