SFC: Culled croc had human remains, believed to be of missing worker
KUCHING: The mystery surrounding the disappearance of Indonesian plantation worker Yosep Tefa appears to have been solved, after a crocodile caught in the area where he went missing was found to contain human body parts.
Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) in a statement said its Swift Wildlife Action Team ( SWAT) was dispatched to the area in Bintangor to hunt for the reptile following Yosep’s disappearance on March 9.
It said a 14- foot crocodile was culled during an operation in Sungai Stubah and brought to the riverbank by villagers, where an examination of its stomach found human remains inside.
“Some body parts were found inside the crocodile’s abdomen and were sent for DNA analysis,” said SFC chief executive officer Zolkipli Mohamad Aton.
He extended his gratitude to Meradong Police Station, Tanjung Manis Fire and Rescue Department ( Bomba), Civil Defence Force (APM), plantation workers as well as the local community for their assistance in the operation.
The statement, meanwhile, also reminded the public to notify the nearest SFC or Sarawak Forest Department offices of any crocodile sightings in their area, and to not take matters into their own hands as these reptiles are dangerous.
SFC hotline numbers as per region are at 019- 8859996 / 0168565564 ( Kuching), 019- 8190140 / 019- 8894474 ( Sibu), 019- 8223449 / 019- 8332737 ( Bintulu) and 0198224566 / 019- 8290994 ( Miri).