MIRI – Sarawakians are not allowed to kill any crocodiles in the state but to report the sightings to the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC).
The directive was issued following an incident at Sg Igan in central Sarawak, where a team of hunters killed two large crocodiles measuring 4-5m last Saturday.
Igan assemblyman Datuk Juanda Jaya shared the images on his social media channel, which showed the crocodiles being hauled onto the back of a lorry parked by the banks of Sg Igan.
“Do not go around capturing or killing any crocodile, even if the animal wanders out of the river. SFC is the authority with the expertise to deal with the crocodile.
“The public must not hunt the crocodiles on their own. Crocodiles are protected animals.”
Last Saturday, a group of men claiming to be crocodile hunters said they killed the reptiles because the animals were reportedly threatening the safety of residents.
The SFC has started an investigation into the matter.
On February 25, SFC wildlife officers rescued a 5m-long crocodile that had wandered into the compound of an industrial site in Bintulu district.
It took five men to subdue the crocodile that was found inside the Sarawak PetChem industrial site.
The crocodile measured more than 15ft, and the SFC identified it as female, said the unit. – The Vibes, March 7, 2022
