MEDIA EXPOSURE: Chai (second right) in this file photo with local media personnel.
MIRI: The Miri Crocodile Farm at Kuala Baram is willing to let their workers help Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) relocate the crocodiles sighted in the Miri River and its tributaries – Sungai Dalam and Sungai Teneku to its enclosures.
The farm’s managing director, Chai Kuen Ming, said they had worked with SFC in relocating crocodiles to their farm in the past.
“We are ever willing to work with SFC like what we did over the years to help relocate the crocodiles that were suspected of endangering human,” said Chai when asked by the Borneo Post to comment on SFC’s efforts to relocate crocodiles especially those believed to have attacked people.
The frequent sightings of the reptiles, including the one spotted at the Miri River mouth last Sunday, have caused unease among the people here prompting calls for the SFC to relocate them.
However, Chai was against the idea of relocating the crocodiles unnecessarily as he believed that they should be allowed to exist harmoniously with humans.
“We should leave the crocodiles alone because they don’t cause trouble and are still very small, besides they have enough food and as long as the people don’t disturb them they are alright,” he said.
Chai acknowledged that catching and relocating the crocodiles is a very difficult task, although both the SFC personnel and his 15 workers were experienced in handling the reptiles.
Chai said his farm at Kuala Baram which bred some 1,500 Estuarine Crocodile (Crocodylus Porosus) and Malayan Gharial (Tomistoma Schlegelii) both local species and other animals, was a place where people could learn more about crocodiles and other animals.
“These crocodiles are kept at the farm in two main parent ponds and ten other enclosures.
Our 22-acre farm which has expanded into a mini zoo, also houses other wild and farm animals like monkeys, bears, snakes, birds like peacocks, pheasants, deer, bearcats, buffalo, goats and horses. The latest arrivals here are emus and ostriches.”
On the average on weekend and holidays some 200 visitors come to the farm. The bulk of the visitors were locals followed by Bruneians and other foreign tourists.
The farm located about 24 km from here is open daily from 9am to 5pm.
Admission fee for Malaysian is RM18 for adult and RM9 for children below 11 while for foreigners – RM25 (adult) and RM15 (children below 11 years).