Villagers Celebrate Heroic Croc Capture in Sulawesi
Imagine a 53‑year‑old local named Usman swooping into the scene with nothing but a sturdy rope and an audacious plan. The target? A massive 4.3‑metre (about 13‑ft) crocodile that had been prowling the area for at least two days, unsettling the community.
The Great Rope‑Attack
Usman, like many Indonesians, goes by just one name, but the legend of that day spreads beyond village chatter. In the clip, he wraps the long‑armed reptile’s jaws in rope, halting it mid‑glide. “If we had left it, it could have made a splash into the rice fields and we’d have had no chance to eat our staple without a croc on top of us!” he joked, hinting at both danger and the absurdity of it.
Why the Croc was a Problem
- Dangerous Drainage Channels: The tiny waterways that locals fish in could have become a perfect highway for the beast.
- Rice Field Threat: A crocodile rattling up the sensory‑filled bean paddies would have threatened crop yield and safety.
- Previous Attacks: Many in the area had already seen crocodile scares, making this one even more unsettling.
Community Praise
Umar Siddiq Al Farizi, a village elder, called the capture “heroic” and noted that it saved countless potential victims. “He didn’t just grab a beast; he secured a tide‑wave of safety for us all,” he said.
“People in Ambau Indah value Usman’s courage; it’s more than a simple victory—it’s a life‑saving triumph.”
The Croc’s Fate
Unlike many mythical “croc‑snared” tales where the giant ends up in a zoo, this story has a green twist. The Natural Resources Conservation Agency has decided to release the animal back into its natural habitat after the rescue.
Usman’s plan—tied up, calm, humane—might just be why the community is winking at him over coffee at every corner of the village.
