Crocodile conservation programme a success, says CEO
SIBU: The state has been successful in its crocodile conservation programme, noted Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) chief executive officer Datu Ali Yusop, who said yesterday that SFC had just completed a state-wide survey on the reptile population.
“The number has increased since we did the first survey in 1985.
“In 1985, we got one crocodile in every 10 kilometres of rivers surveyed. Today, we have between three and six crocodiles per kilometre of rivers surveyed,” he told reporters when met at the ‘ Borneo Crocodile Forum 2014’ here.
Ali said the major concern now was population of crocodiles at the age of hatching and growing.
“We hope to see them reach adulthood,” he said.
He also noted that since the introduction of 3M Crocodile Conservation Workshop, the public were more aware of their roles and responsibilities in fostering coexistence with the reptile.
Through the workshop, SFC was able to develop new strategies in crocodile management while the public gained useful information on crocodile behaviours and guidelines on safe practices in river usage, he pointed out.
According to him, two areas in the state, namely Pulau Seduku in Batang Lupar and Kuching Wetlands National Park, had been gazetted as crocodile natural habitats.
“We’ve also identified Ulu Sungai Bako and Sibuti for crocodile sanctuaries,” he added.
He named Sungai Seblak in Kabong, Betong Division and Niah in Miri Division as among the human- crocodile conflict-prone areas where river remained the major transportation mode.
“People in these areas bathe by the river, go fishing and travel by boat, rendering them at a higher risk of close encounter with the crocodiles,” he explained.
There were four cases of human beings attacked by crocodiles so far this year, though no death was reported in these cases, he said.
“In the six cases over the previous year, four deaths were reported,” he added.
SFC chairman Datu Dr Yusoff Hanifah declared open the three- day forum which ends on June 12.