Fears of a crocodile soup blackout

Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Banten

Three crocodiles have been spotted since last week in a pond used to cool power turbines at a steam power plant in Suralaya, Banten, sparking fears they could inadvertently shut down the plant.

Turbine operator PT Indonesia Power and the Banten Water Police and Pulomerak police officers have tried to catch the crocodiles over the past days, but to no avail.

"The crocodiles, each measuring about three meters long were seen by employees swimming near the power turbine filter," Indonesia Power general manager Bambang Susanto said Thursday.

"If they enter the turbine filter room, they could disrupt the power supply to Java and Bali," he added.

The power plant occupies most of a swamp long known as a crocodile habitat.

Local residents said crocodiles had often been seen looking for fish around the waterway.

"I've seen crocodiles sunbathing on the bank of the waterway several times," said Mat Alim.

Police were seen guarding the area Thursday, ready to shoot the crocodiles if they emerged.

There has been talk among management of inviting crocodile tamers from North Sumatra to help out. The tamers can handle the carnivorous reptiles without hurting them.