A BAND of villagers has slaughtered nearly 300 crocodiles at a breeding ground in Indonesia’s West Papua province in retaliation for the death of a local man.
Basar Manullang, the head of the local natural resources and conservation agency, said 292 crocodiles were killed by dozens of villagers on Saturday following the funeral of a 48-year-old man who was killed by crocodiles after entering the area around the breeding pond.
The man was believed to have entered the sanctuary in the Klamalu area of Sorong district to cut grass for his cattle.
Police are encouraging mediation between the victim’s family and Mitra Lestari Abadi, the company that operates the sanctuary.
Manullang said: “Since killing the crocodiles is illegal, we are co-ordinating with the police for the investigation.”
The agency said villagers were armed with machetes, hammers, shovels and other sharp weapons.
They killed two large crocodiles up to 13 feet long and many babies measuring just 20-60in.
Witnesses said about 40 policemen came to the scene but were too outnumbered to stop the mob. Officers later said about five witnesses have been questioned but no suspects have been named.
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