KUCHING: The State Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba Sarawak) has been receiving reports on the increasing presence of reptiles, especially in the central Sibu zone.
Its director Datuk Khirudin Drahman reasoned that this could be due to the surge in new housing projects within settlement areas and wildlife habitats.
“Reptiles such as snakes are venturing into remote farms and plantations in search of food. Unfortunately, this also leads them to human-populated regions, which is worrying,” he said.
Khirudin said abandoned houses and poorly maintained residential areas are reportedly becoming hotspots for these reptiles.
With natural phenomena like flash floods and rising temperatures, these factors alter the reptiles’ habitats, thus further contributing to the urgency of the situation, he said.
“The department has assisted in numerous emergency calls, capturing these reptiles, which are then released in forested areas on the city’s outskirts,” he added.
Saying some of these reptiles are venomous, Khirudin stressed that community awareness is crucial in identifying and preventing unwanted emergencies.
“Most reptiles, especially snakes, are shy creatures, so they tend to avoid encounters with humans. However, they can become aggressive when threatened.
“I would therefore like to remind the community never to act alone and to call emergency services if they encounter this situation. The authorities are well-trained and equipped to properly handle the situation and remove uninvited reptiles,” he said.
For the record, Bomba Sarawak assisted in 2,188 cases to capture snakes last year, with the Sibu zone recording the highest number of cases at 940, followed by the Kuching zone with 309 cases.
