60-year-old, one-tonne crocodile caught in Tawau river after near attack

TAWAU: A giant crocodile believed to be around 60 years old has been caught at Kampung Pangkalan Asli, Merotai Besar, here.

Sabah Wildlife Department assistant Zulkurnain Hashim said the reptile weighed between 800kg and 1,000kg and measured about 5.4m in length.

He said that on Oct 19, the department came across a Facebook post reporting that a crocodile had been threatening villagers who frequently fished by the riverside.

“A local resident of Kampung Pangkalan Asli, Merotai Besar, recorded a video on Oct 19, around 5.40pm, showing a crocodile nearly attacking an angler fishing by the Merotai Besar riverbank during high tide.

“Coincidentally, our team was already operating near the area. We investigated the complaint, met the informant, and that same night set up two crocodile traps nearby,” he said, adding that the reptile and another smaller crocodile were caught yesterday.

He said the department also caught two more crocodiles on Tuesday.

Zulkurnain, who has served for over 30 years, said that throughout his career, he has only encountered five crocodiles estimated to be over 60 years old, including the one caught yesterday and another on Oct 6 this year.

“Wild crocodiles can live up to 100 years if they have sufficient food.

“But now, they are venturing into villages in search of goats, fish, and crabs due to food scarcity in the forest, which poses a danger to riverside communities.”

He added that the captured crocodiles were euthanised and later buried.

© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd

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