34 Crocodiles Re-captured After Escape from Batam Farm

A total of 34 crocodiles have been re-captured after they broke free from a farm in Batam, Indonesia, on January 13, following heavy rains that caused a breeding pond to overflow. While the farm houses approximately 500 crocodiles, the total number of escapees remains unclear.

The largest of the crocodiles caught so far weighs over 1,000kg, reaching the size typically found in the wild. However, local authorities are still working to determine exactly how many crocodiles managed to escape the facility.

Located on Bulan Island, around 30km from Sentosa in Singapore, the farm has raised concerns about the potential for crocodiles to swim across to nearby waters. Conservation expert Tommy Steven, however, reassured the public, stating that the risk of the crocodiles reaching Singapore is “very low”. He explained that while crocodiles can travel up to 20km, those raised in captivity are not accustomed to hunting for food and are slower-moving. Furthermore, they are generally less aggressive compared to wild crocodiles.

The farm’s efforts to track down all the escapees have been complicated by difficulties in draining the breeding pond, which has hindered accurate counting. Initial reports suggested that only five crocodiles had escaped, though this figure is likely to change as more are recovered.

As a precaution, the authorities have implemented various safety measures, including regular patrols, warning signs, and public awareness campaigns. The National Parks Board (NParks) has confirmed it is monitoring the situation closely and reassured the public that Singapore’s waters are safe for now.

NParks has advised residents to remain calm and avoid approaching, provoking, or feeding any crocodiles encountered. If a crocodile is spotted, people are urged to report it to NParks at 1800-476-1600 and to observe the warning signs posted in affected areas.