A ‘fugitive’ crocodile has finally been apprehended after 12 days on the run, local media reports.
The croc was first sighted on Jan. 28, 2016 near Pura Dalem Pangembak, Sanur and was eventually captured on Feb 9.
The non-profit organization Bali Reptile Rescue posted pictures of their team catching the critter, which they identified as a 102-centimeter-long saltwater croc.
The croc was turned over to the Bali Natural Resources Conservation Center (BKDSA).
So far it’s not clear if there are more crocs or not in the region, writes Tribun Bali.
“We will continue to monitor (the area) with fellow volunteers in the village,” BKSDA Bali head, Suharyono, told Tribun.
According to Suharyono, the croc appears to have been someone’s pet that was later released in the swamp.
“The initial indication is that people might have accidentally released it, because crocodiles usually live in clusters. Not alone. This crocodile was not too wild when we caught it. Pretty tame. That is evidence that a person once took care of it,” Suharyono said.
Currently, the croc is still in BKSDA custody and the plan is to send it to a wildlife breeding center in Tabanan.