The captured reptile is brought ashore. Photo courtesy of SFC
MIRI: Hundreds of residents, including fishermen in Kampung Labau, Kelulit Bekenu can now breathe a sigh of relief after a 13-foot-long male crocodile was captured from a river near the village on Saturday.
The gigantic reptile that weighed more than 300kg was captured after it took the bait set up for it by the village headman.
The crocodile was reportedly sighted at the river several times, which caused alarm among the villagers, especially the fishermen.
In a statement, Miri Civil Defence Force (APM) officer Captain Mohd Hazle Shah Abd Hamid said a three-man team was dispatched after they received a distress call at 1.12pm.
“We received the call from the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) Swift Wildlife Action Team (SWAT), who requested for our help to remove the reptile and take it to Benaya Crocodile Farm in Kuala Baram.
“Upon reaching the scene, the reptile was already tied up by the villagers and we helped to transport it in a three-tonne lorry to Kuala Baram,” he said.
The operation ended at 4.05pm.