TAWAU: The Tawau Wildlife Department (JHL) shot dead four crocodiles during a Crocodile Culling Operation conducted along Udin River in Kalabakan, near here, from Oct 18 to 20.
One of the crocodiles which was killed at Kampung Pangkalan Asli, Merotai, measured 17 feet 9 inches long and weighed 390 kilogrammes (kg). It was shot dead around 7pm on Thursday.
According to the Tawau JHL Office, the first crocodile killed measured 7 feet 5 inches and weighed 60kg; the second measure 12 feet 7 inches and weighed 250kg; and the third measured 11 feet 2 inches and weighed 190kg.
All four reptiles were captured within 48 hours after taking the baits set by JHL.
“The Crocodile Culling Operation in Sungai Udin was carried out by a four-member JHL team which began setting up crocodile hooks on the night of Oct 19 (Sunday).
On Tuesday (Oct 21), two of the hooks caught crocodiles at 5pm and 6.40pm, respectively.
On Thursday (Oct 23), two more crocodiles took the baits at 4.40pm and 7pm, respectively.
According to the department, all four reptiles that were caught after taking the baits were shot dead.
The method is considered safer than attempting to shoot free-swimming crocodiles.
By using this method, the department was able to recover the carcasses of the crocodiles, measure their size and determine their gender.
