KOTA SAMARAHAN: The Samarahan Crocodile Hunters (SCH) team has managed to catch more than 20 crocodiles since Feb this year.
Muara Tuang assemblyman and SCH patron, Datuk Idris Buang said, “This is based on unofficial statistics on our part.
“I do not have the official statistics at the moment but these figures are also the results of reports by our hunters who are licensed under the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC).”
He revealed this at a press conference held in conjunction with the launch of the Sarawak Merdeka Dalam Malaysia Muara Tuang/Kota Samarahan Rally programme at the Muara Tuang Service Centre, Marqas Operation First Response Team (FReT) in Desa Ilmu yesterday evening (Sept 11).
Idris added that the hunters were performing their duties by catching crocodiles in many places in the constituency.
“It also makes it easier for the community around this area to earn a living. However, there were still victims who were attacked by crocodiles a few days ago and a few weeks ago. Last month, there were also victims who were attacked and eventually died.
“Since February, we have had three deaths due to crocodile attacks and I think no less than seven to eight attacks have been recorded,” he said.
Elaborating on the proposal to manage the crocodile population in the Kota Samarahan area, the assemblyman pointed out SFC had various plans for the state.
“We need to respect these plans. Crocodiles are actually protected under the law (Sarawak Wildlife Ordinance 1998) and there are also things blocked by the United Nations (UN).
“We have to follow some guidelines and the SFC is also following the set guidelines.
“Still, we have to understand that crocodiles cannot follow guidelines … and sometimes we have to act before they attack or after receiving reports from fishermen,” he explained.
Idris also pointed out that apart from helping the community to catch crocodiles, the Marqas Operation First Response Team was also committed to helping the people in the area.
He said that his party also provided continuous assistance to the community in terms of food and so on during the Covid-19 pandemic.
