SANDAKAN: The Wildlife Department shot and killed a nine-foot crocodile spotted in a mangrove area near Taman Millennium, Mile 4, here, Tuesday.
“We received four complaints regarding crocodile sightings in the mangrove area,” said Sandakan Wildlife Officer Hussien Muin. He said his team and Elopura Assemblyman Calvin Chong went to the location to put up warning signs on Tuesday morning.
For the sake of public safety, the team decided to shoot the crocodile at 10.38am after seeing it when they arrived at the mangrove area.
The crocodile weighs about 60kg and is estimated to be nine years old.
“This is not our first operation to catch crocodiles. Our team has previously been informed that there are two crocodiles in the area,” he said.
He said the Department is studying human-crocodile conflict in collaboration with a non-governmental organisation.
Calvin, meanwhile, urged the public, especially those who go fishing and engage in gardening near the mangrove swamp area, to exercise caution and to keep their children away from the area.
He also urged the public to notify the Department of any crocodile sightings.
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