KOTA KINABALU – The hunt for a crocodile believed to have killed a 1-year-old boy and injured his father on December 1 has been launched, said Sabah Tourism, Culture, and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin today.
He said the state Wildlife Department has started the hunt following the reptile attack.
According to him, any crocodile sighted within a kilometre of villages where its residents rely on local natural water sources will be hunted.
“It is difficult to determine as people’s daily activities may also involve entering crocodile territory, which could be known as having no crocodiles before.
“Therefore, all crocodiles spotted in areas where there are human activities will be captured or shot dead,” he said in a statement here today.
According to him, any victims of wildlife attacks can get compensation from the federal Welfare Department.
He said the value of compensation, which only applies to Malaysians, is RM20,000, adding however, that the figure will differ based on the seriousness of the injuries.
Jafry said the application must come with the state Wildlife Department’s endorsement.
Civil society groups have called on the authorities to probe into the recent crocodile attack which involved a father and his son who came from the largely undocumented Palauh (Bajau Laut) community.
The Vibes had earlier reported that the father, who was only identified as Morehat, 45, jumped into the sea with his son in an attempt to flee from the authorities near the Lahad Datu market before the crocodile attack.
Meanwhile, the Fire and Rescue Department is still searching for the missing boy. – The Vibes, December 6, 2022
