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SIBU: A 4.5m long crocodile was caught in a crocodile-infected area in Batang Oya, Dalat on Monday (March 22).
Dalat district police chief, department superintendent. Saga Chunggat in a statement said the reptile was captured 10 days after the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) placed the bait on March 13.
The operation was a joint effort between SFD that involved six officers and three from the police department using three boats.
“SFC participated in the installation of the bait, while we provided them with security every day during the operation that was due to end on Thursday (March 25),” he said.
DSP Saga said the operation was challenging as they were exposed to hot weather and rain almost every day.
“The team also had to conduct night patrols as crocodiles are easier to see during these hours when they are most active,” he said.
When a crocodile is sighted, he said they would place a bait near it.
“Preparing the bait is the most dangerous task, as we have to be close to the reptile. This is also to assess the size of the crocodile,” he added.
DSP Saga said that on a night patrol along the saltwater river, the team made 22 crocodile sightings.
“However, the majority of these sightings were ‘hatchlings’, although there were also several adults,” he said.
According to SFC, adult crocodiles pose a threat to people if they remain in their habitat area.
“Villagers whose livelihoods depend on the river, such as fishermen, sago farmers and river users in Batang Oya, would be threatened by crocodiles,” said DSP Saga.
He said fisherman Ali Baba B. Dahli was attacked by an even larger crocodile several weeks ago. Ali Baba was the fourth victim to be killed in the attack since the first case occurred in 2015.
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