TEMPO.CO, Sidoarjo - Residents near Porong River, Sidoarjo, have reported sightings of crocodiles. Police now investigate the reports that say three to four crocodiles emerge on the riverbank.
"We have received reports of beast’s sighting in Awar-Awar Village, Tambakrejo," said Chief of Sidoarjo Police, Senior Commissioner Anggoro Sukartono. "However, it is far from threatening as they emerge far from civilization."
Ecoton Director, Prigi Arisandi, explained that the crocodile’s sighting is natural as the river is their habitat. "The area happens to be a swamp as well.
However, Prigi added that their emergence can also be because of hazardous substance in the river. "They have sensitive smelling sense," he said.
Moreover, spokesman of Sidoarjo Mud Counter Agency (BPLS), Dwinanto Hesty, said that the crocodile surfaces because of Lapindo Mud's sediment at Porong River delta. "It is not a new thing," he said.
EDWIN FAJERIAL