Crocodile catchers to snap up cash prizes

An Indonesian city has hit on an original idea to rid its popular beaches of crocodiles - it will offer cash prizes to people who catch the man-eating reptiles, an official said on Friday.

The population of dangerous saltwater crocodiles around two beaches near Kupang in eastern Indonesia has been increasing in recent years and there have been reports of tourists being attacked.

Authorities now plan to launch a competition offering cash prizes of five million rupiah ($380) to animal experts for each of the reptiles caught alive, said local tourism chief Marius Ardu Jelamu.