Pangkalpinang. The Bangka Belitung Wildlife Rescue Center has stopped accepting crocodiles captured by local residents due to a lack of space and resources, the facility's manager said on Saturday.
Endy Yusuf, who manages the center under the Alobi Foundation, explained that the number of crocodiles being handed over has overwhelmed the facility. The center currently operates two enclosures: a small closed pool for juvenile crocodiles and a fenced swamp measuring about 30 by 40 meters for adults. Both are now filled with dozens of animals.
"Every day, every week, residents bring in crocodiles they catch across Bangka Belitung. The sheer number has left us struggling," Endy said without elaborating further.
He added that rehabilitated crocodiles cannot be safely released into the wild because many rivers in Bangka Belitung have been damaged by extensive mining activities. This environmental degradation limits safe habitats far from human settlements.
"At the same time, there are no concrete efforts from local authorities to reduce human-crocodile encounters. We hope the government will get involved, as we face limitations in manpower, funding, and facility capacity," Endy said.
Beyond crocodiles, the center also shelters other wildlife, including sun bears, eagles, several protected bird species, slow lorises, and deer.
Endy noted that the province has only one rehabilitation site for endangered species: the Air Jangkang area in Bangka Regency, which occupies land previously used for tin mining.