BY NEVILLE TIMOTHY SANDERS & RASHEEQA BAHIDA
KUCHING: Sarawak is looking to adopt nature-based solutions to regulate its growing crocodile population, with egg removal and reliance on natural predators forming part of the state’s integrated management strategy.
Deputy Natural Resources and Urban Development Minister Datuk Len Talif Salleh said discussions with the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) include targeted removal of crocodile eggs to prevent overpopulation.
“A single crocodile can lay up to 100 eggs. In the wild, monitor lizards usually prey on these eggs but because monitor lizards are also hunted by humans, more eggs are surviving to hatch.
“So, one way to manage this is by controlling the eggs before they hatch,” he said when met by reporters after attending the 2nd Natural Science & Technology Conference (NaSTeC 2025) at Raia Hotel and Convention Centre Kuching on Wednesday.
He stressed that the government does not support indiscriminate killing, but instead promotes a balanced approach that safeguards both human lives and ecological stability.
“Crocodiles play an important role in maintaining ecosystem balance. That is why our approach is control and relocation, not eradication,” he said.
Len Talif added that SFC has signed a memorandum of agreement with Wildlife Management International (WMI) from Australia to develop a comprehensive crocodile management plan.
The upcoming Crocodile Rules 2025 will further regulate control measures, ensuring they are science-based and sustainable.
“Our priority is protecting lives while ensuring crocodiles remain part of our biodiversity heritage. With proper management, we can achieve both,” he said.
Under the Integrated Crocodile Management Plan, Sarawak has identified several areas to serve as crocodile sanctuaries, including the Kuching Wetland, Samunsam Wildlife Sanctuary in Sematan, Rajang Mangrove, Suai and Limbang. Pulau Seduku has also been designated as a sanctuary under federal protection.
For the record, Sarawak’s crocodile population has surged to an estimated 25,000 individuals across more than 40 river basins, nearly double the 13,500 recorded in 2014.
Despite this, attacks have remained stable in recent years, averaging six deaths annually, with a peak of nine cases in 2021.
To enhance safety, the government has installed over 200 warning signs in high-risk areas while continuing education programmes under the “Recognise, Understand, Conserve (3M)” initiative.
