KOTA KINABALU - A total of 26 crocodiles were shot dead in three districts throughout this year.
Sabah Wildlife Department (JHL) director Augustine Tuuga. said the move was done in areas which had a high potential of an attack by the animal.
"In 2022, we caught or shot 26 crocodiles, 13 of them in Lahad Datu, three in Tawau and 10 in Kinabatangan.
"Since the move was approved this year, I have instructed JHL officials to do the same in other districts as in Paitan.
"We were called by the village chief to check on the possibilities of a crocodile attack there.
"We also need support from the police, for example in Lahad Datu we were informed that there were 28 areas where there was a possibility of crocodile and human conflicts so we gave permission to the police to shoot if they came across any crocodile that has the potential to attack humans," he told Sinar Harian.
Augustine said even though there is permission to do it, it was not an easy task when it comes to installing traps.
We have a trap but its only suitable for installation in the river because the water is calm but for the sea it is difficult to do so because of the waves.
"After being caught, we will not transfer the animals because they might have conflict with other crocodiles due to the ecological aspect.
"We don't want this to happen, so usually when we catch a live crocodile, it will be sold to a licensed crocodile breeding farm," he said.
When asked on the size of the crocodiles which were successfully caught or shot dead, Augustine said that the size was between four and five meters long.
"The largest was over four meters which we caught in a river in Lahad Datu and the biggest crocodile shot dead was over five meters long in Kinabatangan River," he elaborated.
Meanwhile University Malaysia Sabah (UMS) zoologist Professor Dr. Abdul Hamid Ahmad said incidents where crocodile attacks humans are increasing since both crocodiles and humans now share the same areas to live or search for food.
"Throughout UMS's research along Paitan River in Beluran, the attacks on farm animals and villagers occurs in areas without a jetty.
"Attacks take place when pets or farm animals come to drink water in theriver, or children are bathing in the river in the early morning or evening or during laundry activities on floating log platforms," he told Sinar Harian.
He also said the crocodile attacks on humans can be divided into two types which is an attack to catch victims as food or indirect attacks.
"The indirect attack happens when the victims fall into the body of water, wading in the river or collide with a crocodile.
"However, all the crocodile attacks usually end with the victim being used as food," he said.
Abdul Hamid went on to say that crocodiles also have its own economic value.
"The flesh and skin of this animal is bought at a high price and produce merchandise which is of high quality.
"This is why there are industries based on crocodile breeding, and crocodile skin," he elaborated.