Authorities have hunted down and culled a giant crocodile measuring a whopping 4.4-metre in length at Sungai Samarahan in Sarawak on Monday, according Bernama.
The Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) said in a statement cited by news agency that the culling of the reptile was part of an operation conducted by SFC’s Swift Wildlife Action Team (SWAT).
The operation was launched following a crocodile attack on a villager named Ismandi Osman, who was reported missing almost a month ago.
The search operation, according to the SFC, focused on an eight-kilometre radius in the area where the victim was reportedly attacked.
“The SWAT set up 13 hooks and a large male adult crocodile measuring 14.4 metres long and weighing some 600 kilogrammes took the bait on one of the hooks,” SFC said in the statement.
The SFC also said that authorities found bone fragments and hair in the crocodile’s stomach.
“The crocodile was subsequently cut open and the stomach contents examined. Some bones and hair were found. Further forensic work will be conducted in the lab by the relevant authorities to determine whether the bones and hair are of human origin.”
SFC also said in the statement that the team would continue to cull more large crocodiles in Sungai Samarahan as the reptiles are considered extremely dangerous to humans.
“Monitoring of the waters in these areas will be carried out to allay the residents’ concern with and fear of the reptiles.
“SFC also calls on inhabitants in the vicinity of Sungai Samarahan to be vigilant when using the river,” SFC further said in the statement.
