NO CROCS ALLOWED HERE

CROCODILE ......IT’S A challenging task but with the dedication of our SWAT team and cooperation from all relevant stakeholders, we areconfi dent of managing the crocodile issues successfully. Datu Ali Yusop, State Wildlife Controller Rivers with high human usage to be cleared of crocodiles.

By : PETER SIBON AND ANASTASIA JENIS

KUCHING: Sarawak Forestry Corporation has been tasked by the state government to establish crocodile-free zones (CFZ) in rivers and beaches under the ‘Strategic Crocodiles Management Plan’ approved by the cabinet in September.

This was disclosed by State Wild life Controller Datu Ali Yusop yesterday who added that the operation would be car r ied out by Sarawak Forestry Wild Life Action Team (SWAT).

“CFZs are mainly rivers which have high human activities. Our team has started the operations to remove crocodiles in the CFZs to minimise human-crocodile confl icts.

“It’s a challenging task but with the dedication of our SWAT team and cooperation from all relevant stakeholders, we are confi dent of managing the crocodile issues successfully.”

Asked which rivers or areas had been identifi ed to be CFZs, a senior SFC offi cer said the stretch of Sarawak River in front of the waterfront here and the waters off Damai beach were two of the areas.

On how the zones would be freed from the menace of the reptiles, the officer emphasised that the operation was a crocodile management programme and not a culling exercise.

He added the crocodiles would be captured and rehabilitated elsewhere or sent to the Matang wildlife centre.

However, i f the situat ion warranted it the reptiles may also be culled to clear the zone of the danger they pose.

Under the operation SWAT had captured and sent at least 10 crocodiles to the Matang Wildlife Centre. They were caught in various places including Mukah and Bintawa here recently.

Meanwhile, Ali added that so far this year there had already been seven cases of crocodile attacks in the state resulting in three deaths.

“Our team will carry out crocodile surveys in major river basins from time to time to determine the population of crocodiles.”

In the latest case yesterday SWAT spotted five crocodiles and managed to capture one female nearly three metres long and weighing about 90kg at Kampung Selang near here, close by the residence of the Head of StateTun Abang Muhammad Salahuddin Abang Barieng.

Ali said the team was sent to the area after a staff member of the Head of State reported sightings of the crocodiles in the area.

“From observations, we believe there are more crocodiles within the area and we appeal to the communities staying there to take extra precautions while using the river,” he said here yesterday.

The estuarine crocodile population in Malaysia is listed in the Convention on International Trade on Endangered Species for Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Appendix I and international trade of it in any form is banned.

Estuarine crocodiles are widely found from the estuarine to more than a 100 km up river while the more elusive and threatened false gharials (Tomistoma schelligi) lurk in the fresh water swamps of low lying areas.

Crocodiles are protected in Sarawak under the Wild Life Protection Ordinance, 1998.

A maximum fine of RM10,000 and a year’s jail will be imposed if one is found guilty of hunting, killing, keeping, selling or eating a Protected Animal in Sarawak.

There are however, provisions in the Wild Life Protection Ordinance, 1998, that allow them to be killed in self-defence, whilst the Controller of Wild Life may issue permit or license to cull them in certain situations.

Ali noted that the increase of crocodile population in the state indicated that its river ecosystems are in a healthy state. (BP)