Groups slam calls to rid crocs from Kinabatangan River

KOTA KINABALU: Environmental groups are appalled over calls by certain groups to get rid of crocodiles from the 560km-long Sungai Kinabatangan where wildlife is already under threat. 

World Wide Fund for Nature Malaysia Animal Species Conservation Unit senior head Dr Dionysius Sharma said the suggestion to reduce the population of the reptiles ahead of a river festival there was “uncalled for.’’ 

“These reptiles are not at fault. They have been living along the river long before any human habitation,’’ he said. 

Dr Sharma, who spent about a year in the Lower Kinabatangan region studying the wildlife there, said he was doubtful of claims that there were about 10,000 crocodiles in the river. 

“I do not think there was a survey ever carried out to conclusively determine their numbers,’’ he added. 

Kinabatangan MP Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin had last week asked the Sabah Wildlife Department to reduce the crocodile population in the river. 

Mokhtar said the claim that 10,000 crocodiles lived in the Kinabatangan River as stated by District Officer Abdul Latif Kandok was alarming. 

He had said the presence of crocodiles could pose a threat to the staging of the Pesta Sungai Kinabatangan planned for Sept 21 when various events including water sports would be held. 

“We do not want frightening things to happen,’’ he said.  

Dr Sharma, when asked whether any measure could be taken to keep the crocodiles away from the venue of the event, however, said the noise and crowd would scare off the reptiles. 

“At the end of the day, events like these should not be held at the expense of the reptiles,’’ Dr Sharma added.

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