A crocodile is still living painfully with a scooter tyre around its neck two years after it was first spotted with it in a river in Indonesia.
First spotted in a river in Palu already in poor condition in 2016, the reptile was observed by locals to be gasping for air in the water as it moved towards the riverbank.
Measuring at about 13 feet, the crocodile is believed to be a Siamese crocodile, reports MailOnline. Considered to be critically endangered animals, Siamese crocodiles are nearly extinct from most countries except Cambodia.
When locals found it again two weeks ago by the riverbank, it was caught on camera gasping desperately for air.
Central Sulawesi Natural Resource Conservation Agency organized a team of seven volunteers to help the crocodile. However, their multiple attempts to lure the reptile have so far been unsuccessful. The group said that the crocodile was not interested in the chickens that they have used as bait.
Wildlife experts fear as the crocodile grows in size, the tire could eventually kill the animal if it is not removed right away.
“We have made a crocodile trap but cannot use it because we lack technical force capable of controlling wild crocodiles,” said Mulyadi, an official of Indonesia Conservation Board.
“We have tried to lure it with chicken or meat but it never touches it. This crocodile has grown to 4 meters in length and its head is about 40 centimeters long. Its body is getting bigger and the tire which should be 14 inches, is stifling it.”
“If the tire is not removed immediately, it will strangle the crocodile in next few months because of its growing body,” he added.
