KOTA KINABALU: A “giant” male crocodile that attacked a villager in Sabah’s east coast Kunak district has been shot dead by Wildlife Department rangers.
The 5.3-meter-long, 800kg saltwater crocodile was detected in Sungai Ladang in Sri Kunak and shot on Monday (April 27) over a week after the attack.
According to officials, the crocodile attacked a local villager who suffered serious injuries to his leg while collecting shellfish near the river at about 2pm on April 19.
Following the attack, the Wildlife Department was alerted on April 20, began monitoring the high-risk area and set up traps to capture the reptile.
Officials said the decision to shoot the reptile was to prevent further attacks on residents living along the river.
The department added that the action was taken to safeguard the community and reminded people not to underestimate risks in rivers, mangrove swamps, or water edges, especially when fishing, collecting shellfish, cleaning boats, or conducting activities alone.
