KUCHING: Sarawak is studying the best measures to manage its growing crocodile population, including the possibility of setting up a special sanctuary for the reptiles.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said a team had been sent to Australia to study the country’s approach to crocodile management, including methods of capturing and housing the wild animals.
“In Australia, crocodile attacks are not that frequent, but they have sanctuaries where captured crocodiles are gathered and managed by experts,” he said.
He said this to reporters after visiting the family of a crocodile attack victim who had been catching prawns along the Lubok Punggor riverbank, Kota Samarahan.
Abang Johari further said observations and studies have also found that crocodiles have their own instincts, with some being aggressive and others not.
“I once visited an area in Darwin, Australia, where cattle are reared under the Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC).
“There were crocodiles there as well, but they did not disturb the cattle being reared. This shows that crocodiles have certain instincts. That is why research must be carried out, and it is still ongoing.
“Therefore, if we are to develop a sanctuary, it must take into account suitable locations. We hope the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) can identify the best approach to address this crocodile issue,” he said.
He added that the state government also actively carries out crocodile-catching operations from time to time, especially in high-risk areas, using bait and firearms.
At the same time, he explained that in the past, crocodile populations were not as high because rivers were the main transportation routes for local communities.
“Now, with more roads being built, people use rivers less. This has made the rivers quieter, allowing crocodiles to breed more extensively,” he said.
Abang Johari also noted that similar crocodile attack incidents had also occurred previously in Kampung Empila in Kota Samarahan and Lawas.
“I am deeply sympathetic to the victim’s family here in Lubok Punggor. The victim’s father recounted how he jumped into the river to fight the crocodile, trying to reach its eyes, but failed due to the murky water.
“Moreover, the search and rescue operation also faced difficulties because of the murky water and the limited data on the crocodile’s movements.
“Therefore, I have asked SFC to take over the operation after these two days, using their equipment to help locate the victim’s body,” he said.
It was reported earlier that on September 15, the victim, Ahmad Alzadkhri Sudin, 32, has gone out with his family on a boat to catch prawns earlier in the morning near Kampung Lubok Punggor before he was reported to have been dragged by the reptile at 4:00 pm.
The incident took place about 200 metres from the village, and at the time of writing, the search is ongoing while Ahmad remains unaccounted for.
