KOTA SAMARAHAN: Muara Tuang’s transformation into a crocodile tourism destination (crocodile park) is still being considered.
According to its assemblyman Datuk Idris Buang, various ideas have been submitted to the Samarahan Crocodile Hunters (SCH) to enable them to research the subject and find a suitable area to fund crocodiles as tourism materials.
“However, this issue necessitates a long-term study of crocodile habitat.
“Perhaps one or two proposals will be presented that will require finances, knowledge as well as other resources,” he said.
Idris, who is also State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Deputy Speaker, said this to reporters during his Hari Raya open house at Marqas Operasi in Taman Desa Ilmu here, yesterday.
He went on to say that the matter needed in-depth thought, particularly from a series of studies, and that it is still being debated whether it is feasible to implement.
“This is because we don’t want it to be a burden on us here.
“I am just an assemblyman, and I need assistance from the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) as well as other non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that deal with wildlife, to provide direction and guidelines to us.
“These crocodiles can be found all along Batang Samarahan.
“Since I became the local representative, three people have been crocodile victims; one was not found, one was found with only the thighs and another was found without a head,” he pointed out.
On another note, he reminded fishermen and residents working near the river to be cautious of the reptiles.
For the record, the largest crocodile discovered thus far was roughly 17 feet long, and SCH has caught over 20 of them.
