Croc sets Batu Pahat abuzz
Public warned not to feed reptile caught on video
JOHOR BARU: A crocodile is rocking Batu Pahat folk following the sighting of a 3m-long reptile captured on video in a river there.
“There is a high possibility that it is mating season for crocodiles in the area and this particular crocodile could be looking for a mate,” said crocodile expert Dana Raj Shanmugam.
“Another likely possibility is that the crocodile is seeking shelter under the bridge as it provides protection from the day’s high temperatures.”
Based on its scales, tail and bright yellow head seen in the video, he said it was an estuarine crocodile (buaya tembaga).
Dana Raj, assistant manager at the Estuarine Crocodile Sanctuary, has advised the public not to feed the crocodile and to reduce fishing activities that might attract other crocodiles.
“Feeding the crocodile may condition it into associating humans with food and that may cause more danger to the public.
“Unintentional feeding from fishing may also cause the reptile to stay in the area longer, making it more territorial in the area,” he said.
Johor Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) director Jamal Nasir Ibra- him said four of its officers visited the river after receiving reports from the public.
“We have not found the crocodile but it is likely to be there as the area is a natural habitat for crocodiles.
“There is also a market nearby, which may attract the crocodile with its abundance of food,” he said.
Jamal Nasir added that Perhilitan would continue monitoring the area for the next few days.
Bernama quoted state Health, Environment and Agriculture Committee chairman Dr Sahruddin Jamal as saying that Sungai Batu Pahat was believed to be among the rivers in Johor suitable as crocodile habitats.
Monitoring carried out last year found that at least 60 crocodiles made these rivers their habitats, he said.
“The existence of crocodiles in Sungai Batu Pahat indicates the healthy state of the river’s ecosystem,” he said when contacted about the 35-second video recording of the crocodile in Sungai Batu Pahat that went viral on social media.
The Batu Pahat District Fishermen's Association was of the view that the presence of crocodiles in Sungai Batu Pahat was not unusual as its members had previously also reported such sightings.