21 Dec 2009

RAMSI in Solomon Islands shoots crocodile after child killed

4:24 pm on 21 December 2009

A crocodile believed to have taken the life of a boy in Solomon Islands has been killed.

The seven year old was swimming in a lagoon on Vonavona Island in the Western Province with two other children when a crocodile claimed his life last week.

A spokeswoman for the Participating Police Force, Amanda Hardy says one crocodile has been shot by the Regional Assistance Mission or RAMSI which was deployed to hunt for the crocodile.

"The village chief and the villages are pretty convinced that that is the right crocodile. But until they can check for the boys remains, obviously we won't confirm that that is the crocodile. And therefore they're staying in the area. And that particular area is prolific with crocodile sightings."

Amanda Hardy says RAMSI is awaiting on orders from the village chiefs whether to cull other crocodiles spotted in the area.