KUCHING: Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) reminded the public that crocodiles are protected species and that killing them has consequences.
Its chief executive officer Zolkipli Mohamad Aton expressed his disappointment on the lack of consciousness by the public on the recent news of an 800kg crocodile found inside a drain behind a school in Limbang on Tuesday.
Earlier, the corporation’s swift wildlife action team (Swat) Miri was despatched to the scene after being alerted on the crocodile sighting, only to find that a member of the public had shot it in the head.
It was told that the crocodile has been euthanised due to severe gunshot wounds and was buried in an undisclosed location.
Zolkipli who is the Controller of Wildlife said SFC officers are currently investigating the shooting of the crocodile.
“A crocodile found in the drain does not amount to be killed as permitted or inferred in the Wild Life Protection Ordinance 1998.
“They should be secured from escaping and reported to the relevant authorities.
“We do not want this to be a norm whereby the public can simply kill any wildlife and report it as endangering their life”, he stated.
The community, who live near rivers, are reminded to be extra careful and not take matters into their own hands as these reptiles are dangerous.
If there are any crocodile sightings in their areas, the public are encouraged to notify the nearest SFC office or contact the hotlines at various regions — 019-8859996 (Kuching), 019-8883561 (Sibu), 019-8332737 (Bintulu), or 019-8290994 (Miri).
