KOTA KINABALU - Sabah Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) recorded 33 cases of crocodile attacks over the past three years.
Sabah Operations JBPM Assistant Director Farhan Sufyan Borhan said this was based on the information and reports received from 2020 to 2022.
" There have been a total of 17 cases involving victims being attacked by crocodiles for a period of three years, the breakdown of cases are eight cases in 2020, three in 2021 and six cases as of December 9, 2022.
"For cases where we catch live crocodiles there are as many as 16 cases, six cases each in 2020 and 2021 and four cases as of 9 December 2022.
"If you look at the statistics its not increasing but the human-crocodile conflicts are worrying," he said.
Farhan added, in the past many cases involving crocodiles were located in the Kinabatangan River in Sandakan, but now the animals can be found in almost all districts in Sabah.
"Incidents of human-crocodile conflict often happens in Lahad Datu, Semporna, Sandakan as well as Pitas, Kudat and Kota Kinabalu," he said.
Farhan explained that although the crocodile attacks cases are different from rescue operations like drowning or fires, the department was always ready for a mission when they receive distress calls.
"The initial stage of preparation is identifying and understanding the nature of the animal itself,the area it is likely to inhabit, its habitat and what are the steps to catch it
"If we look at the nature of crocodile, if it has already caught its prey it will not hunt for another victim right away, instead it will let the victim decay only then it is made into food.
"Firefighters are also in danger if we don't understand the nature of the animal especially when entering its habitat. Crocodiles don't specifically hunt for humans, but there may be conflict if humans are in their habitat so if we do a rescue operation, we need to consider related matters," he said.
Asked about the cooperation among other agencies including those responsible for wildlife, Farhan said, the fire department would aid in by any means possible to ensure that the human-crocodile conflict can be reduced.
"Although the Environment Ministry have allowed for these crocodiles to be killed the fire department agrees with it only for areas where there is human activity and settlements as this reduces the cases of crocodile attacks.
" But at the same time we advise the public to be aware of their surroundings and prioritize safety, especially in the areas where they suspect can be a crocodile habitat ," he said.