A security advisory on crocodiles:
Given recent incidents of crocodile related sighting in Timor-Leste, staff members are reminded of the continuing danger posed by crocodiles. Staff members should be vigilant at all times when entering either fresh water or sea water. In order to reduce your personal risk level you should not swim in areas historically prone to crocodile sightings/attacks, or any location alone, at night, dawn or dusk. For those who partake in spearfishing, either use a bungee line to thread your fish onto, or return your fish to shore immediately after spearing. It is not advisable to secure dead fish to yourself whilst spearfishing. Divers who encounter crocodiles under the water should safely and quietly remove themselves from the water, under no circumstances should crocodiles be approached or photographed. Furthermore, we recommend that you note whether members of the host community are swimming or remaining on shore in groups looking out to sea (a sure indication that a crocodile may have been sighted). If there are no members of the host community in the water, you should seek their advice before entering yourself. If in doubt you should not enter the water. Staff members are requested to continue reporting crocodile sighting to SOC. This in turn, enables UN Security/ Wardens to broadcast SMS alerts to all of our colleagues as required.
UN Security
Right, now it's even more unlikely that I'll be dipping my toes in Batugade beach! I'm really looking forward to crocodile-free waters for the summer, I must say...although, to be fair, I have yet to see a real live crocodile anywhere on this island...I keep looking but with no success. All I get are gecko eggs in my electrical outlets, not quite the same, but interesting enough. Oh, Timor, what else have you got in store for us?
Given recent incidents of crocodile related sighting in Timor-Leste, staff members are reminded of the continuing danger posed by crocodiles. Staff members should be vigilant at all times when entering either fresh water or sea water. In order to reduce your personal risk level you should not swim in areas historically prone to crocodile sightings/attacks, or any location alone, at night, dawn or dusk. For those who partake in spearfishing, either use a bungee line to thread your fish onto, or return your fish to shore immediately after spearing. It is not advisable to secure dead fish to yourself whilst spearfishing. Divers who encounter crocodiles under the water should safely and quietly remove themselves from the water, under no circumstances should crocodiles be approached or photographed. Furthermore, we recommend that you note whether members of the host community are swimming or remaining on shore in groups looking out to sea (a sure indication that a crocodile may have been sighted). If there are no members of the host community in the water, you should seek their advice before entering yourself. If in doubt you should not enter the water. Staff members are requested to continue reporting crocodile sighting to SOC. This in turn, enables UN Security/ Wardens to broadcast SMS alerts to all of our colleagues as required.
UN Security
Right, now it's even more unlikely that I'll be dipping my toes in Batugade beach! I'm really looking forward to crocodile-free waters for the summer, I must say...although, to be fair, I have yet to see a real live crocodile anywhere on this island...I keep looking but with no success. All I get are gecko eggs in my electrical outlets, not quite the same, but interesting enough. Oh, Timor, what else have you got in store for us?
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