Crocodile causes mayhem in Indonesian supermarket (3 photos + 1 video)
Shoppers were left horrified when they spotted a three-metre crocodile in a supermarket on Taliabu Island, 1,300km north-east of Bali. Fearless onlookers filmed the reptile crawling across the slippery floor amid shelves of cereal and snacks. 
Firefighters arrived at the scene and attempted to remove the crocodile from the store using a stepladder. However, the animal clung to the ladder and began lashing out with its tail in anger.
After a tense battle that lasted almost an hour, the crocodile left the store. It lay down by a puddle while residents considered their next steps.
Eventually, the intruder was tied up and blindfolded with a towel. Five firefighters picked up the crocodile and carried it to their truck, then released it into a nearby body of water.
The crocodile probably crawled out of the swamp after recent rains.
"The evacuation lasted more than an hour," said the island's police chief, Senior Assistant Commissioner Adnan Wahyu. "The team released the crocodile back into the water, where we believe it lives."
Adnan explained that the predator did not attack people.
“Due to frequent rains, crocodiles may have come out of the waters. Anyone who sees them should call the police,” he said.
Last week, a 53-year-old man was killed in front of his family in Sulawesi, an island east of Taliabu. The father of four screamed in agony as the reptile grabbed his body and dragged him into the water.
Later, locals saw the crocodile dragging the man’s lifeless body through the swamp. They chased the reptile away with stones and retrieved the remains.
Indonesia is home to 14 species of crocodiles, including saltwater crocodiles that thrive in the country's tropical conditions. Adult males can reach seven meters in length.
Experts believe that overfishing and the destruction of coastal areas for agriculture have forced the animals to move inland in search of food. Tin mining has also led to people coming closer to crocodile areas, increasing the risk of encounters.
Indonesia has more crocodile attacks each year than anywhere else. Last year there were 179 attacks there, killing 92 people. In Australia, by contrast, there are one or two fatalities a year.
