Crocodile Carnage: Villagers Fire Up a Farm, 292 Reptiles Meet a Sizzling End
On July 17, 2018, the tranquil wetlands of Sorong turned into a wild showdown when a man’s tragic encounter with a farm‑raised crocodile sparked a furious mob that took animal revenge on the breeding ground.
What Went Down?
- Inciting Incident: A 48‑year‑old villager was attacked while he supposedly was snipping grass for cattle. The victim died, leaving his community reeling.
- Mob Action: Armed with knives, hammers and clubs, the angry crowd stormed the licensed crocodile farm.
- Outcome: They knocked out 292 protected crocodiles and set them on fire in a large pit filled with wood.
- Aftermath: The carcasses were burned and then buried around the farming area, leaving a smoldering barometer of loss.
Why the Crocs? A Southern‑Papua Twist
Dr. Basar Manullang, a conservation specialist, highlighted that the farm had received a license back in 2013 to breed saltwater and New Guinea crocodiles for conservation and selective harvesting. In the eastern region of Papua, crop‑crocs are more than just the appetite of nature; they feed an entire leather industry—from belts to shoes.
Key Figures on the Scene
- Muhammad Nur (owner of Crocodile Craft Centre) explained that only medium‑sized crocodiles are permitted for skin production; the big ones stay for breeding, and the little ones remain innocently baby.
- Police Status: Sorong police chief Dewa Made Sidan Sutrahna admitted that they couldn’t repel the assault. Witnesses will be interrogated to see if the farm’s oversight was lacking or if wildlife law was violated.
- Animal Rights Push: International Animal Rescue spokesperson Ode Kalashnikov urged the government to crack down on the tragedy, calling the event a glaring failure of animal protection.
Beyond the Fire: The Bigger Picture
Let’s remember why we’re raising these reptiles in the first place. “If you let crocodiles roam wild, they risk getting hit by the final frontier of hunter‑poachers,” noted Kalashnikov, citing recent injuries to other wildlife such as elephants and orangutans.
All in all, a tragic chain of events rolled into a fiery showdown. The people built the farm for a purpose, and an angry mob accidentally turned it into the headline of the day. As the smoke cleared, the call for stronger conservation measures grew louder.
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