KUCHING: Sightings of crocodiles and their eggs in Sarawak, have been making waves on social media this month.
Yesterday (Jan 15), the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) in a Facebook post, said the carcass of a male crocodile was found trapped in a villager’s net in Teluk Assam near Bako National Park.
The SFC Kuching Regional team then disposed the crocodile carcass measuring approximately 12-foot and weighing 150kg, in Bako River in addition to taking specimen samples for forensic purposes.
In this regard, the corporation reminded the riverine villagers not to throw garbage especially food waste, as it is one of the main contributing factors to crocodiles coming close to houses near the river.
Aside from that, the public are also advised to be vigilant when carrying out fishing or any other activities in the river.
The latest discovery makes it the third sighting of crocodiles in a span of six days.
Last week on Jan 10, a 10-foot-long crocodile was captured by the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) and villagers in Kampung Hilir Tabuan, Kuching.
The reptile was spotted lurking on the ground level of a house on stilts around 11pm before authorities were alerted for assistance.
On being captured, the crocodile was handed over to the SFC for further action.
Two days later (Jan 12), a 14-foot-long crocodile was shot four times on its head and mouth after it attempted to attack a team of policeman and SFC personnel near Taman Malihah, Matang.
It was reported that the team had discovered the reptile’s nest located by the bank of an abandoned pond.
The reptile suddenly surfaced from the pond, climbed up the bank and attempted to pounce on one of the personnel.
Four shots were fired at the crocodile’s mouth and head before it went back into the pond and the hunt for the reptile is still ongoing.
On the same day, SFC personnel managed to relocate 49 crocodile eggs to safety away from the neighbourhood in Taman Malihah.
The corporation said it would install crocodile warning signs at the scene where the eggs were found.
Should anyone have information about those who capture, hunt, trade or preserve protected and fully protected wildlife, they can contact the SFC hotline at 019-8859996 (Kuching), 019-8883561 (Sibu), 019-8332737 (Bintulu), or 019- 8290994 (Miri).
