KOTA KINABALU – A former senior Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD) veterinarian has urged the public to learn how to coexist with crocodiles given the recent incidents involving the reptile.
The department’s former Wildlife Rescue Unit manager Sen Nathan said crocodile culling should be a last resort in managing crocodile-human conflict.
“I would suggest and advice SWD to do the following:
“One, the Wildlife Rescue Unit should monitor the coastal area, with round-the-clock crocodile watch to monitor the locations where the reptiles have been spotted.
“Two, set traps where crocodiles have been sighted.
“Thirdly, work with other agencies such as Sabah Parks, the Civil Defence Department which has assets like boats when conducting crocodile watch,” he said here today.
Sen also proposed for warning signs to be installed to alert the public to the presence of the reptiles in these areas.
“Only as a last resort, when all efforts failed, then only culling operations should be done,” said Sen, adding the culling should only apply to crocodiles that are in the probable maneater size – meaning, above 10 to 12 feet in length.
According to Sen, public awareness on crocodiles should also be raised, adding that there is a need for the population to learn how to coexist with wildlife.
On December 1, a crocodile attack resulted in the death of a one-year-old boy and injuries to the father. Experts believe the increasing incidents of crocodile attacks were due to depleting food sources for the carnivorous reptiles.
Crocodiles are protected under the Wildlife Conservation Enactment 1997, and no one is allowed to hunt and kill them unless they pose a danger to people.
Last August, Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin said applications for hunting and breeding licences have been opened due a recent spate of attacks in the state.
Jafry later issued a shoot-to-kill order to the Wildlife Department in areas where recent attacks have been reported.
An animal rights lawyer has opposed the ministry’ shoot-to-kill order, saying it was natural for the animal to look for food in water overfished by humans.
Rajesh Nagarajan had urged the state Wildlife Department to be more humane in dealing with the crocodiles by recapturing and relocating them far from human settlements, as opposed to killing them. – The Vibes, December 13, 2022
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