A quiet afternoon on the Bulete River turned into a scene of horror for a family in South Sulawesi, Indonesia, when a 53-year-old father of four was brutally attacked by a crocodile. The victim, identified only as Arifuddin, had gone to the river with relatives on Thursday, August 14, to swim and cool off, never imagining the day would end in tragedy.
Witnesses recall a chaotic scene as the predator struck. “It happened so fast,” one villager later said. Video footage circulating online shows Arifuddin being dragged underwater after the crocodile clamped onto his leg. Onlookers screamed and rushed into the water in desperate attempts to save him, but the crocodile’s grip proved too strong. From the riverbank, his family and neighbors could only watch in horror as the attack unfolded before their eyes.
Heroic Rescue Efforts Turned Tragic
Emergency responders were called to the river, racing against time to locate the creature and its victim. Rescue teams eventually found the crocodile still clutching Arifuddin in shallow, muddy water. Local residents, working alongside authorities, finally managed to retrieve his remains, which were returned to his grieving family for burial.
Jerry Saputra, a spokesperson for the Pitumpanua Sector Fire Rescue Team, told reporters that Arifuddin’s remains were discovered approximately one mile from the initial attack site. The father’s death has left the local community reeling, with many expressing deep sorrow and anger over what some describe as an avoidable tragedy.
“This is every parent’s worst nightmare,” said a neighbor, struggling to hold back tears. “To lose someone so suddenly, in front of the people he loved—it’s unbearable.” Social media in the region has been flooded with messages of sympathy for the family, as well as calls for stricter safety measures along rivers where crocodile encounters are becoming more frequent.
Rising Threat of Crocodile Attacks in Indonesia
Arifuddin’s death comes amid growing concern over the rising number of crocodile attacks in Indonesia. The Associated Press reported earlier this year that the country recorded 179 attacks in 2024—the highest number in the world. The surge has prompted experts to examine the underlying causes behind this deadly trend.
Researchers point to the rapid expansion of palm oil plantations as a major factor. As forests are cleared, new man-made waterways and irrigation channels provide crocodiles with easier access to areas where humans live and work. These changes have disrupted natural habitats, forcing the predators to move inland in search of food and shelter.
“Crocodiles are highly adaptable,” said a wildlife expert familiar with the region. “When their natural habitats shrink, they move closer to human settlements. Unfortunately, this often leads to tragic encounters like the one we saw with Arifuddin.”
Communities Struggle with Fear and Safety Concerns
For residents living along rivers in South Sulawesi, crocodile attacks are a growing fear. Many locals avoid swimming or fishing in certain areas altogether, while others insist on traveling in groups to reduce the risk. Some communities have even begun installing warning signs and small barriers, although experts warn these measures offer limited protection against these powerful predators.
Despite growing awareness, safety measures remain inconsistent. Villagers admit that, due to a lack of resources, many riverbanks remain unmonitored. “We know the crocodiles are here,” one resident said. “But there’s no one to protect us. We just have to be careful.”
The tragedy has reignited debate over how to prevent such incidents. Conservationists stress the need for both community education and wildlife management. They recommend mapping crocodile habitats, regulating human activity near rivers, and creating designated safe zones for swimming and fishing. Without such measures, encounters like Arifuddin’s are likely to continue.
A Nation in Mourning
Arifuddin’s family is now left to navigate life without their father, husband, and provider. His death has sparked an outpouring of grief across social media and local news outlets, with many highlighting the dangers faced by communities living near crocodile habitats. Villagers described Arifuddin as a loving father, dedicated to his children and respected in his neighborhood.
“The children are devastated,” said a family friend. “They saw everything happen. It’s hard to imagine how they will cope with this loss.” Friends and neighbors have begun fundraising efforts to help support the family through funeral costs and other immediate needs, demonstrating the tight-knit nature of the community in the face of such tragedy.
