Crocodile Attack in Indonesia: Woman Killed While Working on Palm Oil Plantation
Incident Details
A 44-year-old woman was attacked and killed by a crocodile while working on a palm oil plantation in central Indonesia. The incident occurred in West Kalimantan province on the island of Borneo. According to local police, the woman was working with a colleague when the crocodile chased the pair, biting the victim on her left hand and dragging her into a ditch.
Attempted Rescue
The woman’s colleague tried to pull her from the animal’s jaws but lost the fight, before running to alert police in the coastal district of Ketapang. The police received a report of the incident and dispatched a team to the location. After a 90-minute search, the victim’s body was found, still in the crocodile’s grip, not far from the location of the attack. The animal released her body when rescuers approached it.
Background on Crocodiles in Indonesia
Indonesia is home to several species of crocodiles that regularly attack and kill humans. Borneo, where the incident occurred, is split between Brunei, Malaysia, and Indonesia, and is home to vast tracts of jungle hosting a kaleidoscope of rare animals. However, palm oil plantations and logging projects have been criticized for encroaching on Borneo’s rainforest areas.
Recent Incidents of Crocodile Attacks
This is not an isolated incident. In August, a crocodile killed a 54-year-old woman as she bathed in a river on Indonesia’s Maluku islands. In 2018, a mob in Indonesia’s easternmost region of Papua butchered nearly 300 crocodiles in revenge after a local man was killed by one of the reptiles.
Conclusion
The incident highlights the dangers posed by crocodiles in Indonesia, particularly in areas where human activity is encroaching on their natural habitats. As the country continues to develop its palm oil plantations and logging projects, it is essential to prioritize the safety of workers and locals, while also taking measures to prevent conflicts with wild animals.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What was the age of the woman killed in the crocodile attack?
- 44 years old
- Where did the incident occur?
- West Kalimantan province on the island of Borneo, Indonesia
- How long did the search for the victim’s body take?
- 90 minutes
- Have there been other incidents of crocodile attacks in Indonesia?
- Yes, in August 2018, a 54-year-old woman was killed by a crocodile, and in 2018, a mob in Papua butchered nearly 300 crocodiles in revenge after a local man was killed by one of the reptiles.