The crocodile with the engine tire on its neck from 2016, is finally released by the villagers (photos)

The nearly 5-meter-tall reptile had won the sympathy of the entire community of the town of Palu, as experts feared it would drown by the wheel as its body continued to grow.

A reward was set in 2020 for any ‘brave’ who would manage to remove the rubber from his neck but many attempts had failed.

Even an Australian crocodile expert had not succeeded in his attempt, but yesterday a lover managed to create a “friendly” trap to catch the animal.

“I caught the crocodile myself. “I had asked for help from others but they were scared,” said Tili, a 34-year-old brave man who, like many in Indonesia, uses only one name.

The bird seller had created a rope and wood trap, using live chickens as bait.

After two weeks of tracking and two failed attempts, he managed to catch the giant reptile.

About 50 locals then came to Tili’s aid to pull the animal out of the water. The crocodile was then given sedatives, during which time environmental officials came to cut the wheel around his neck.

The creature was then released back into the Palu River and the whole community expressed liberation for the fate of the already released crocodile.

Taking pictures after his arrival, Tili smiled, saying “many people did not believe me and thought the attempt was not serious.”

“But I can not bear to see injured animals, even snakes, I have to help them,” says Tili, whose expertise with wildlife is learned only from personal experience.

“Yesterday was a historic day for us and we are grateful that the crocodile was finally liberated from the locals who showed extraordinary care for the wildlife,” said Hasmuni Hasmar, an official with the local wildlife protection agency.

They said Tili would receive the reward set after the success of his plant.

After six years with a rubber wheel stuck in his neck, a saltwater crocodile is almost free from drowning