KUCHING: Crocodiles are fearsome creatures but the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) aims to turn them into a useful resource which should be
protected.
In an exclusive interview with New Sarawak Tribune, SFC general manager Oswald Braken Tisen highlighted one of the key ways to promote crocodiles was as a tourist attraction.
“There are some areas already benefitting from crocodile-watch tourism, such as the Santubong Wildlife Cruise by CPH Travel,” he said.
Another method is via harvesting, which he deemed rather difficult to develop.
“We are now working with various parties to see if there is interest in harvesting crocodiles from the wild in order to ranch or farm them,” Oswald elaborated.
Two notable registered and licensed crocodile farms in Sarawak are Jong’s Crocodile Farm at Siburan here and Miri Crocodile Farm in Kuala Baram, Miri.
“These farms have permits to rear, harvest and trade in the reptile,” he stated. However, he remarked competition in this industry is tough especially on an international platform where other countries with advanced technology can produce near-perfect crocodile skin.
“Unless a very good skin can be produced, the value will be low,” said Oswald.
He revealed that the corporation was looking into a mechanism where benefits from the industry could be shared with the locals who are affected by the crocodiles.
“We are proposing to the government that a certain amount of money generated be channelled to the people affected by these reptiles,” he revealed.
Oswald mentioned that awareness programmes were being conducted by SFC to encourage the community to understand the creatures better, as well as precautions to be taken around crocodiles in order to stay safe.
He noted that conservation efforts had aided in the expansion of the crocodile population in Sarawak since the 1990s. This resulted in increasing conflicts between humans and crocodiles thus making management of these reptiles more crucial.
“Sometimes people get eaten by crocodiles, which then makes people start killing them. Thus, the cycle of human-crocodile conflict goes on,” explained Oswald.
He disclosed that SFC had proposed for crocodiles to be professionally managed via a species conservation management plan.
“The management plan which is currently being implemented includes re-categorising the Malaysian crocodile population from Appendix 1 (no international trade permitted) to Appendix 2 (crocodiles may be harvested for international trade, with a quota) of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites),” he stated.
This change in 2017 was made only after comprehensive studies and surveys were conducted to ensure the crocodile population was stable.
According to Oswald, the harvest quota is dependent on the river, and based on detailed calculations.
“Secondly, management also includes recognising certain areas as crocodile removal zones,” he said, denoting that crocodiles are viewed as problematic in these areas which are frequented by large crowds of people, such as Damai Beach, Bako National Park, Kuching Waterfront, Miri Waterfront and Sibu Waterfront.
“In these zones, any crocodile, big or small, can be removed,” he elaborated.
He stated that culling of these reptiles could also be carried out, but only when the number of crocodiles in an area becomes dangerous.
