NParks on alert for escaped crocs from farm in Batam

The National Parks Board (NParks) is monitoring an incident involving several crocodiles that escaped from a farm in Batam on Jan 13.

- Ang Qing

Their escape is believed to have resulted from downpours over three days, which caused parts of the fence around a breeding pond to collapse, according to reports by Indonesia media.

Bulan Island, where the farm is located, is roughly 30km from recreational offshore island Sentosa.

NParks group director of wildlife management How Choon Beng told The Straits Times on Jan 18 that the public should report any encounters with crocodiles to the statutory board.

It is unclear how many crocodiles broke free, but at least 23 have been caught so far, according to CNN Indonesia, which identified the reptiles as saltwater crocodiles.

Mr Kannan Raja, president of the Herpetological Society of Singapore, which studies reptiles and amphibians, said saltwater crocodiles swim out to sea to find food and as part of their natural movement patterns.

But while they could reach Singapore from Batam, "it doesn't mean they will", he added.