Indonesia mob kills hundreds of crocodiles after man dies

JAKARTA – The Associated Press

A mob 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 on July 16 that 292 crocodiles were killed by dozens of villagers on July 14 following the funeral for 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 neighborhood 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.