TAWAU: A Wildlife Department (SWD) team successfully culled an 18-foot 3-inch male crocodile at Kampung Udin, Dumpas, after the reptile took bait set on Sunday.
The crocodile was shot dead with five rounds by SWD officers before being handed over to a licensed hunter.
The operation temporarily relieved the anxieties of villagers, estate workers, children and local and visiting anglers, particularly after a victim was taken by a crocodile at the river last month.
However, residents have been urged to remain vigilant as a larger crocodile, estimated to be around 20 feet long, is still believed to be in the river. It was noted that several crocodiles have been spotted there since last year, with a number of people falling victim to attacks.
SWD officers are continuing their operations to eliminate the remaining predatory crocodiles lurking in the waterway.
In PIMPING, Kampung Binsulok residents are having similar anxieties due to the frequent sightings of several crocodiles in the local river.
A resident Awang, said the village’s location near the river stretching to Kuala Penyu serves as the primary fishing grounds for local fishermen. The presence of these reptiles has not only terrified nearby residents but also disrupted daily fishing activities.
Last Sunday, SWD officers found that their fishing line had snapped, indicating that an even larger crocodile had taken the bait. Residents have contacted SWD requesting assistance to catch and eradicate crocodiles of various sizes from the river.
