Original Article: https://blog.theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com/crocodile-tire-rescue/

A 14-foot crocodile roaming around Indonesia with a motorcycle tire stuck around its neck for the past six years has finally been freed.

People in the area have referred to the croc as “buaya kalung ban,” which means the crocodile with a tire necklace.

He was first spotted back in 2016 near the country’s Palu River. For years, many different people and organizations tried to help the crocodile, but to no avail.

Even Australian crocodile wrangler Matt Wright was unsuccessful in helping the creature.

It wasn’t until recently that someone in the area finally had success.

Tili, a 35-year-old bird-catcher and trader, moved to the city and spotted the animal. Since he has experience catching animals, he had a good feeling that he could use his skills to help this crocodile.

Using different ropes, he set up a trap tied to a tree near the river. After a few weeks, the crocodile finally fell into the trap.

Tili, with the help of a few people, quickly pulled the crocodile to shore and were able to saw the tire off from around his neck.

For the first time in six years, this crocodile is finally free! After they removed the tire, they returned the relieved croc to the river.

It is not known how the animal ended up with the tire around his neck all those years ago, but conservationists believe it may have been placed in the river in a failed attempt to trap him as a pet or to skin him for sale.

Watch the rescue in the video below:

[embedded content]
Source: The Animal Rescue Site Blog