Two men killed in separate crocodile attacks in Solomon Islands

Two men have been killed in separate crocodile attacks in Solomon Islands while diving for sea cucumbers at night.

Some people are calling for a crocodile cull to reduce numbers.

The deaths come less than a month after the country lifted a ban on harvesting the nocturnal marine animal, also called beche-de-mer, in a bid to boost is pandemic-hit economy.

Local police commander Joseph Maneluga said the beche-de-mer gold rush is attracting divers to crocodile-infested waters.

Customers in China and South-East Asian countries consider the dried sea cucumbers a delicacy and one kilogram can fetch up to 170 dollars in the Solomons.

 

 

Photo: Jan van der Ploeg / WorldFish Solomon Islands  Caption: A saltwater crocodile swims along the Waihara River in Malaita Province