A wild 14-foot crocodile in Indonesia that had a motorcycle tire stuck around its neck for 6 years has finally been freed.
Back in 2016, the reptile — which was referred to locals as “buaya kalung ban,” the crocodile with a tire necklace — was first spotted with the vehicle part around its body near the country’s Palu River, according to theAssociated Press.
Over the years, many tried to provide aid to the animal, including Australian crocodile wrangler Matt Wright, among others, but none were successful.
Faldi Muhammad/NurPhoto/Shutterstock
“I have experiences and skills in catching animals, not only birds, but farm animals that are released from the cage,” Tili told the outlet. “I believe I can rescue the crocodile with my skills.”
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Utilizing “ropes of various sizes,” per the AP, Tili set up a trap tied to a tree near the Palu River and used animals among the likes of chickens and ducks as bait.
Josua Marunduh/AP/Shutterstock
After several failed attempts over the course of three weeks, the crocodile eventually fell into the trap on Monday night. There, Tili and his two friends pulled the animal ashore and sawed the tire off from its body, which, the AP reported, was around 1.6 feet in diameter.
And though it is unclear how the motorcycle tire got stuck around the crocodile’s neck in the first place, conservationists told the outlet that it was likely placed in the river in a failed attempt to trap the animal as a pet or to skin it for sale.
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Mohammad Taufan/AP
After the wild animal was returned to the river free of the tire around its body, Tili spoke withReutersand noted that he did not rescue the animal for his own gain, but rather because he is an animal lover.
“I just can’t stand to see animals hurt. Even snakes, I will help,” Tili — whose vast knowledge of wildlife is “self-taught,” per the outlet — said.
source: people.com
