“All of these industries are associated with increased crocodile attacks,” Mr. Sideleau said.
“Of course, poverty is also a factor,” he added. “As well as using rivers for livelihoods, a lot of people wash themselves or their clothes in them, where they can get attacked.”
Like Dedi, a former miner with a rhythmic accent.
“It was just after sunset, I went to the pool to take a bath,” he told The Telegraph. “Suddenly [a crocodile] tried to attack my face. I dodged it and fell down.
“The second attack hit my thigh. This was from its jaw, this from the fangs, and this was clawed by its tail,” the 45-year-old told the Telegraph, gesturing at the swollen, yellowish wounds covering his right leg. “[Its body] was as bulky as a big water jug, I bashed it with my towel and it started to chase me. It came ashore, I ran about 100 meters fully naked.”
For both Dedi and Rozi, their encounters – in 2023 and 2020, respectively – are tinged with a hint of inevitability.
“Half a month after my incident, a woman was attacked while cleaning chicken meat. She didn’t survive,” said Rozi, grimacing as he limped around the kitchen helping his wife prepare syrupy black coffee. “When her body was found, the legs and arms were already detached. Only the torso remained.