Indonesia crocodile has tire stuck around neck for years

A wild crocodile caught in a used tire reappeared on the Palu River, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia, March 19, 2020. /VCG

The giant reptile in Indonesia has attracted attention worldwide: It has a motorcycle tire stuck around its neck since 2016, and experts from several countries have been called upon to help.

Observers of wildlife from the United States, Forrest Galante (R) observing a crocodile nest in the Palu River, Palu City, March 11, 2020. Forrest and the team carried out the mission to save the crocodile wrapped in motorcycle tires. /VCG

Officers lift traps to catch wild crocodiles caught in old tires on the Palu River, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia, February 11, 2020. /VCG

The crocodile is about four meters long, and has struggled for years within the tire. Local conservation agencies have been working with experts from the U.S. and Australia. Indonesian authorities even offered a reward to anyone who can rescue this saltwater crocodile, but the contest was called off last month. Officials in Palu, capital of Central Sulawesi, said they would redouble efforts to free the crocodile from its rubber vice, which conservationists feared could endanger the crocodile's safety.

The wild crocodile trapped in a motorcycle tire again appeared in the Palu River, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia, February 27, 2020. /VCG

The crocodile made headlines again a few weeks ago, as another celebrity conservationist joined the rescue team. Matt Wright, the host of National Geographic's "Monster Croc Wrangler" show, came to the island of Sulawesi with a team using traps baited with duck, a drone and even a harpoon in a bid to reel in the reptile. He planned to catch the beast and untangle it. However, the plan did not work because of the tough environment and the fact that it wasn't hungry due to ample food in the river.

Australian animal handling expert, Matthew Wright (R) stands around the river after closing the rescue mission of a crocodile caught in a motorcycle tire on the Palu River in Palu, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia, February 17, 2020. /VCG

Australian wildlife observer Matthew Nicolas Wright sets a trap to catch wild crocodiles caught in old tires in the Palu River, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia, February11, 2020. /VCG

Another Australian crocodile wrangler, Chris Wilson, believed the crocodile was a challenge.

"It's very cunning and it's very smart," he said.

"He knows people, so he's scared of people. When you try and get close to him, he just gets underwater."

A wild crocodile trapped in a used tire on its neck sunbathing on the Palu River, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia, January 15, 2020. /VCG

So far, the crocodile still appears from time to time with the unwanted necklace. Conservationists fear the crocodile is being slowly strangled and killed at last. The tough animal has been seen gasping for air with the rubber stranglehold. Conservationists are still looking for a way to remove the tire, but the general public are asked not to get close to the crocodile or disturb its habitat.

The crocodile caught in a motorcycle tire again appeared on the Palu River, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia, March 9, 2020. /VCG

A buyer shows crocodile-shaped bread caught in a used tire at a bakery in Palu, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia, February 24, 2020. /VCG

The bakers at the shop are inspired to make bread like that from wild crocodiles that have been trapped in used tires. /VCG

The bread became viral and many residents bought it as a form of empathy for the wild crocodile that is currently still roaming the Palu River with used tires wrapped around his neck. /VCG

Crocodile-shaped bread on display at a bakery in Palu, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia. /VCG

(Cover photo via VCG)

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Source(s): AFP