The Times Australia
The Times World News

.
Times Media

.

Your smartphone might be linked to crocodile attacks in Indonesia. Here’s how

  • Written by Brandon Michael Sideleau, PhD student studying human-saltwater crocodile conflict, Charles Darwin University
Your smartphone might be linked to crocodile attacks in Indonesia. Here’s how

What’s the connection between your smartphone and crocodile attacks? It’s quite straightforward.

Smartphones need tin, which is often mined illegally in Indonesia. When illegal tin mines are abandoned, they fill with water. Crocodiles enter from nearby waterways, looking for food, as fishing and other human pressures have made prey short. Croc attacks increase.

That’s the short version. Here’s the longer one.

After intense culling in Indonesia in the 20th century, saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) are now returning to islands such as Bali and Java[1]. Croc attacks have become a serious issue. Over 1,000 attacks have taken place[2] in the ten years to 2023, leading to 486 deaths.

But these attacks aren’t distributed evenly. Croc hotspots include the Bangka-Belitung islands, off the southeastern coast of Sumatra. And these islands have a huge amount of tin.

mining hole filled with water
Tin mining leaves behind craters, which fill with water. Sony Herdiana/Shutterstock[3]

The islands of tin

The Bangka-Belitung province consists of two large namesake islands, as well as hundreds of smaller islands. About 1.5 million people live here[4]. Tin is the mainstay of the economy.

Tin is vital to smartphone production, as it is used to solder different components together. Indonesia is second only to China in tin production, producing roughly a third of the world supply. And within Indonesia, almost all[5] the tin – 90% – comes from the Bangka-Belitung islands.

During the authoritarian Suharto government, tin mining here was controlled by the central government. After Indonesia democratised in 1998, the regional government of Bangka-Belitung gained control of tin. In 2001, the government allowed its citizens the right to mine tin. Illegal tin mines ballooned as a result, increasing four-fold[6] in just three years after the laws passed.

Two decades later, illegal tin-mining has now destroyed much of the province’s biodiversity[7], particularly fish populations. It’s dangerous work for humans – around 150 miners die each year due to accidents, including crocodile attacks. Miners have also encroached[8] into crocodile habitat such as mangroves.

Tin mining makes the landscape look like the moon. Native animals flee or die. Mud pollutes waterways. Fish numbers dwindle. And crocodiles get hungrier. They start looking for different prey[9]. Dogs. Cows. Humans.

Desperate humans, desperate crocodiles

Illegal tin mining brings crocodiles closer to humans by creating new habitat, though of poor quality. After miners dig out the tin ore by hand, the craters left behind fill with water, creating pools known as “kulongs[10]”.

These kulongs are often found close enough to waterways that fish and other prey animals can end up living in them after a flood. These mining pools go much further inland than natural waterways on the islands do, allowing salties to reach far further inland. Hungry crocodiles come for the fish, but might go after a dog or human.

mining pools in Indonesia, seen from satellite The craters left by tin mining are visible from satellites. This image shows dozens of mining craters filled with water along a waterway in the Bangka Belitung islands. Google Earth, CC BY[11]

It’s not only mining – the felling of forests and planting of oil palms often comes with the creation of drainage canals. These canals make it easier for crocs to get close to areas where workers might be swimming or fishing.

All of this means the sharp increase in croc attacks was almost inevitable. Destroying habitat while mining in or near waterways means crocodiles found it easier and easier to be near humans.

Over the 10 years to 2023, almost 100 crocodile attacks were reported on these islands, and 41 people died. Of these attacks, almost a third (32%) were in current or former tin mines, and one sixth (16.5%) were mining at the time.

By contrast, over that same decade in Queensland, there were just five[12] fatal attacks and 14 non-fatal.

As Langka Sani, the founder of local wildlife conservation group Alobi Foundation[13] has said[14]:

In the past, we might never hear of a crocodile attack in a year, whereas now in the last two weeks there have been dozens of reports of crocodile cases.

His organisation has taken in dozens of crocodiles attacked by people as reprisals for croc attacks. Some of these are being resettled.

Reducing croc attacks will mean ending illegal tin-mining. Is that possible? Yes, but it’s unlikely. The state-owned tin mining company, PT Timah, provides miners with safer working conditions. But they cannot compete with the extra income[15] from illegal mining.

That means for the foreseeable future, the world’s demand for tin for smartphones will have a deadly cost.

Read more: Saltwater crocodiles are slowly returning to Bali and Java. Can we learn to live alongside them?[16]

References

  1. ^ Bali and Java (theconversation.com)
  2. ^ taken place (crocattack.org)
  3. ^ Sony Herdiana/Shutterstock (www.shutterstock.com)
  4. ^ live here (babel.bps.go.id)
  5. ^ almost all (www.thejakartapost.com)
  6. ^ increasing four-fold (www.jstage.jst.go.jp)
  7. ^ province’s biodiversity (www.mineclosure.net)
  8. ^ also encroached (www.bbc.com)
  9. ^ different prey (www.researchgate.net)
  10. ^ kulongs (earthjournalism.net)
  11. ^ CC BY (creativecommons.org)
  12. ^ just five (www.des.qld.gov.au)
  13. ^ Alobi Foundation (alobi.org)
  14. ^ said (earthjournalism.net)
  15. ^ extra income (earthjournalism.net)
  16. ^ Saltwater crocodiles are slowly returning to Bali and Java. Can we learn to live alongside them? (theconversation.com)

Read more https://theconversation.com/your-smartphone-might-be-linked-to-crocodile-attacks-in-indonesia-heres-how-229630

The Times Features

The Gift That Keeps Growing: Why Tinybeans+ Gift Cards are a game-changer for new parents

As new parents navigate the joys and challenges of raising a child in the digital age, one question looms large: how do you preserve and share your baby's milestones without co...

Group Adventures Made Easy: How to Coordinate Shuttle Services from DCA to IAD

Traveling as a large group can be both exciting and challenging, especially when navigating busy airports like DCA (Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport) and IAD (Washington...

From Anxiety to Assurance: Proven Strategies to Support Your Child's Emotional Health

Navigating the intricate landscape of childhood emotions can be a daunting task for any parent, especially when faced with common fears and anxieties. However, transforming anxie...

The Rise of Meal Replacement Shakes in Australia: Why The Lady Shake Is Leading the Pack

Source Meal replacement shakes are having a moment in Australia, and it’s not hard to see why. They’re quick, convenient, and packed with nutrition, making them the perfect solu...

HCF’s Healthy Hearts Roadshow Wraps Up 2024 with a Final Regional Sprint

Next week marks the final leg of the HCF Healthy Hearts Roadshow for 2024, bringing free heart health checks to some of NSW’s most vibrant regional communities. As Australia’s ...

The Budget-Friendly Traveler: How Off-Airport Car Hire Can Save You Money

When planning a trip, transportation is one of the most crucial considerations. For many, the go-to option is renting a car at the airport for convenience. But what if we told ...

Times Magazine

Business email compromise attacks are on the rise

Expert shares 5 simple steps to combat email threats every business should consider following There’s an astounding 84% increase in business email compromise attacks, according to the latest Email Threat Report, which compares half-yearly statis...

Enhance Software with Dynamic Code Analysis Techniques

Dynamic code analysis is a widely utilized technique that plays a crucial role in ensuring the reliability and security of software applications. This process involves the examination of an application's behaviour while it is executing, which is in c...

Creating a Healthier Coop with Natural Bedding

Choose the right bedding this is the first step to providing a healthy atmosphere for your hens. Natural bedding materials promote improved air quality with minimal smells, disease prevention, and more. Organically and biodegradable chicken beddi...

PIXMA and MAXIFY Inkjet printer ranges offering new features for home and business

Canon Australia today announces new models in the PIXMA and MAXIFY inkjet ranges, the PIXMA TS3660, PIXMA TS3665, PIXMA TR7860, PIXMA TS7760, MAXIFY GX1060 MegaTank, MAXIFY GX2060 MegaTank and MAXIFY GX5560 MegaTank. Canon continues to expand its...

A Fantastic Look Into The Top Fitness Trackers And Swimming Apps For 2022

People want swimming pools for several reasons and the best fibreglass pools today offer myriad advantages in your backyard. Anyone who gets a pool these days wants to swim in it for fun and fitness. Once you get a pool installed, you will likely u...

Bring Efficiency to Businesses With Cloud ERP Solutions in Singapore

What is a Cloud-based ERP Solution? Cloud-based ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) solutions are an innovative way to manage a company's mission-critical operations. Traditional ERP systems have traditionally been on-premise, meaning they run insi...