A 14-foot male crocodile has been captured and shot dead by the Sabah Wildlife Department after residents of Kampung Tanjung Pagar were left concerned over repeated sightings of the reptile near the village.
The operation was carried out on Thursday after the crocodile was successfully caught using a fishing line. It was subsequently handed over to a licensed crocodile hunter.
A village resident said the community was relieved by the department’s swift response, particularly as the crocodile had frequently been spotted near the mouth of the river close to Kampung Tanjung Pagar.
Residents, however, have been advised to remain vigilant as other crocodiles could still be present in the surrounding waters.
“There could still be other crocodiles there, so residents need to be careful when they are near the river, as crocodiles can attack suddenly and prey on those who are unaware,” the resident said.
The area is also located near a boat jetty used by passengers travelling to Labuan. Boat users have therefore been urged to exercise additional caution when boarding or disembarking from passenger vessels.
The community thanked the Sabah Wildlife Department for taking action and expressed hope that further operations would be conducted if other crocodiles posing a potential danger are detected.
Meanwhile, residents of Kampung Pelakat Skim are also working with the Wildlife Department to address another crocodile concern after the reptile was reportedly spotted in a drain.
According to villagers, a crocodile had been repeatedly seen swimming in the drain, raising concerns over the safety of people living nearby, particularly children who often spend time in the area and go fishing.
Residents have urged the community to stay away from the drain and exercise greater caution when approaching or playing near the water.
They said a complaint had previously been lodged with the Wildlife Department, prompting officers to visit the area and install fishing lines in an attempt to capture the crocodile.
The latest operations highlight continued concerns over human-wildlife encounters in areas where crocodiles are increasingly being spotted close to residential communities and public access points.
