KUALA LUMPUR - Keeping a crocodile as a pet hobby is rare and unheard of among the people in this country because the reptile is considered as dangerous and ruthless.
However, it is not the case with a family from Kajang, Selangor who have been keeping six smooth-fronted Caiman crocodiles (Paleosuchus trigonatus) since 2018 in their backyard.
Crocodile Dundee is a series of action comedy films centered on a crocodile hunter named Michael J. "Crocodile" Dundee.
Met by Bernama recently, the owner of the crocodiles, Khairul Johari Mohd Denie, 38, said that he bought all six crocodiles whose original habitat is from North America from a licensed dealer with the Department of Wildlife Protection and National Parks (Perhilitan) when the animals were a year old with an estimated size of 20 cm long.
He said, now, all the crocodiles that have reached the age of seven (premature) are estimated to be 160 cm long and weigh around 15 to 20 kg and are placed in a special pond that he built himself in his yard.
Khairul Johari said his deep interest in keeping the animals started when he was a child as he was often taken by his parents to visit crocodile parks and zoos and was heavily influenced by animal activist and Australian zookeeper, the late Steve Irwin who loved crocodiles.
"There used to be a popular show, The Crocodile Hunter, which was hosted by Irwin. He had millions of viewers under his spell through his dedication to the preservation of wild animals, inspiring people all over the world including me.
"So, I chose to legally own the smooth-fronted Caiman crocodile which is categorised as a dwarf crocodile, non-aggressive, prey-type animal and its history of never injuring let alone biting or eating humans," he said.
Khairul Johari, who is also an entrepreneur mentor also shares his interest through Tiktok, which has many people excited and their curiosity piqued concerning the nature of the reptile that is rarely kept as a pet.
From the aspect of feeding the crocodiles, the father of three children said that he did not spend a lot of money because he had other alternative sources of food for the crocodiles.
"For example, apart from live catfish, I also feed crocodiles with chicken parts that are not eaten and sold at grocery stores near my house such as chicken heads, legs and livers. It is high in protein and calcium for alligator diets.
"In fact, I don't feed my pet crocodiles often, once or twice a week is enough," he said adding that crocodiles like murky, still water habitats and sunlight.
Sharing the characteristics of his pet crocodiles, Khairul Johari said that he and his family can play, bathe or hug the reptiles because they have been tamed and raised together since childhood.
"When it feels threatened, it will warn by snorting or flicking its tail. It has never attacked me," he said.
In addition to the smooth-fronted Caiman crocodile, Khairul Johari also keeps several protected exotic and wild animals including 22 lesser whistling ducks, 22 hill mynas, two Victoria crowned pigeons, a pair of Siamese fireback birds and a giant grouper fish.
Asked about the reaction of his neighbours for keeping his pets in the small yard of his Semi-D type house, Khairul Johari said, all these animals were not released outside the house because it would be an offence to do so and only the hill mynas were released to fly before returning home at dusk.
"It doesn't bother the neighbours, on the contrary, they enjoy bringing their children to my house to see and sometimes help feed and clean the pond or the aviary," he said.
Khairul Johari intends to open a free mini-zoo in Kuala Kangsar, Perak in future to provide an opportunity for people to get to know the various species of unique animals more closely.
Meanwhile, Perhilitan director-general Datuk Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim said there are only three individuals including Khairul Johari who have a valid license to keep crocodiles in the peninsula.
He said that based on the department's data, a total of 53 crocodiles of the same species were imported since 2010 for commercial purposes including those kept in zoos.
"Generally, anyone can own protected wildlife species as long as they follow the rules by applying for a licence or permit from Perhilitan and ensure that the animal must come from a legal source," he said. - BERNAMA