Dept to do head count of number of crocs in KK
Published on: Saturday, October 25, 2014
KOTA KINABALU: There are crocs in the city, and given the many sightings of late, wildlife experts are drawing up plans to do a head count here next year.Wildlife Department Chief Veterinarian Dr Sen Nathan on Friday said frequent flooding, rising water levels and clearing of land appear to have displaced these reptiles whose existence has been protected since the 1950s.Hence many in recent times have been sighted in unlikely places, for instance, near the State Museum, Likas Bay, Kepayan Ridge housing area, Petagas and Putatan.
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Dr Sen said since hunting of crocodiles was banned by law about 40 years ago, the reptile population here had increased. "Continuous flooding and water level in the local ponds, drains and lakes made it easier for these reptiles to migrate. Once relocated they decide to stay," he told the Daily Express, here. Dr Sen believed stray dogs, cats and rats had become their main source of food, while food discharged into the local waterways may also be one of the reasons for their survival.
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"Although, the crocodile is a predator, I have even come across them consuming carcasses. "That is why the Wildlife Department will launch a statewide survey on the reptiles, which will include those in the city next year," he said.
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He claimed the existence of these reptiles dates back to the 1920s to 1930s as he recalled his grandfather had gone hunting before the ban was enforced. At present, Dr Sen said sightings have been made in Likas Bay, Karamunsing, which was once a mangrove area, and Kepayan Ridge, the pocket jungle near the Museum area, Putatan and Kg Contoh in Petagas. At least five cases of crocodile sightings have been reported to the department this year and there had been various encounters with pythons in Sadong Jaya and pocket jungles near the Museum in the past. He said there is a concern that conflict between human and reptiles will increase in the future as the animals will likely grow and their population expand in years to come. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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