KUNAK: The Kunak District Office, together with the Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD) and other government agencies, continues to work closely to address the growing threat posed by crocodiles due to habitat conflict and the safety risks they present to local communities.
District Officer and Chairman of the District Security Committee, Majaran Osman, said members of the public also have an important role in promptly reporting crocodile sightings to the SWD or the District Office.
He said immediate reports of crocodiles spotted in public areas, recreational sites or near residential settlements would enable the authorities to take swift action to capture or remove the reptiles.
“Report any crocodile sightings to the relevant authorities so that immediate action can be taken,” he said when contacted by the Daily Express regarding a viral video posted on Monday showing an adult crocodile along the shoreline of Pantai Sarina, here.
Majaran also advised the public to take safety precautions by avoiding water-related activities, such as swimming or fishing, in rivers or other areas known to pose a high risk of crocodile encounters.
He said owners of recreational parks and agencies responsible for rivers and other waterways also have a shared responsibility to enhance public safety, including installing warning signs to alert visitors and the public to the risk of crocodile attacks.
He said the Sabah Wildlife Department has already installed warning signboards at numerous coastal areas, rivers, lakes and seaside settlements throughout Kunak to raise public awareness of the danger.
“So far this year, I understand that two crocodiles have been captured in Kunak through joint operations with the Sabah Wildlife Department,” he said.