KUCHING: Four deaths involving crocodile attacks were reported in Sarawak this year, said Forest Department Deputy Controller (JHS) Engkamat Lading.
“However, the four cases have not been confirmed,” he told Sarawak Voice.
Engkamat went on to say that the crocodile that was caught was 19ft long.
He also said to hunt or sell crocodile meat in Sarawak requires getting the relevant permit from the department.
Engkamat said permits to hunt or sell are normally issued after crocodile attacks were registered.
According to him, the saltwater crocodiles (buaya katak/muara) or crocodylus porosus and the freshwater or swamp species, the false gharial (buaya jejulong) or tomistoma schlegelii are protected by law, hunting them requires permit.
He advised those living around the crocodile habitat to be careful and to avoid water activities especially at dusk or in the evening when the reptile is active.
He said the public should pay full attention to the crocodile warnings posted by the authorities.
The four cases of crocodile attacks this year are:
April 17 — A senior citizen was killed by a crocodile in Batang Oya, Kampung Bakong in Mukah. The victim, known as Seruji Salleh, 72, was said to have gone to the river for a bath about 12.30pm after working outside his house.
March 17 — An Indonesian man who was reported missing for two weeks at Bintangor was found to have been devoured by crocodile after the discovery of human bones in the crocodile abdomen. The crocodile, nearly five metres long, was found by a handler when participating in SAR operations.
February 19 — A seashell searcher, Peter Wee Chee Kiong, 20, survived a crocodile attack at Kampung Belabau Muara Lepa, Serdeng, Sarikei.
February 14 — An Indonesian oil palm plantation worker was attacked by a crocodile when searching for crabs at Ladang Segi Pakatan Niah, Miri.
