Crocodile that mauled Indonesian woman to death was being kept as a pet
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A 14-foot crocodile that mauled an Indonesian woman to death was illegally being kept as a pet at the facility where it happened, officials said Wednesday.
Deasy Tuwo, 44, the head of a laboratory at a pearl farm in North Sulawesi, was feeding the crocodile in its enclosure on Jan. 10 when she was killed by the 1,500-pound reptile. It was not immediately clear if she fell in the enclosure or if she was dragged by the animal. Police are investigating the incident.
FLORIDA WOMAN ATTACKED BY MOTHER HIPPO DURING ZIMBABWE CANOE TRIP, REPORTS SAY
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Her body was found the next day by her co-workers, the AFP reported.
Hendrik Rundengan, from the local conservation agency, said Merry had eaten one of the woman's hands and most of her abdomen was missing.
FLORIDA CROCODILE SPOTTED USING POOL NOODLE TO CROSS CANAL
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"These parts may still be inside the crocodile now," he said.
The crocodile, named Merry, was being held at the pearl farm illegally.
Rundengan told the BBC that officials repeatedly tried to visit the facility to try to remove the crocodile but had never been allowed in.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The crocodile was sedated and removed from the enclosure. Merry will be moved to a conservation area, Hendrik Rundengan from the North Sulawesi Natural Resources Conservation Agency said. Police are reportedly still trying to get hold of the alleged owner of the reptile.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
The Indonesian archipelago has several species of crocodiles that kill humans. About 1,000 people a year are killed by crocodiles around the world.