KOTA KINABALU: Culling or relocating crocodiles will not solve the surge in attacks on humans in Sabah, experts warned, saying that removal alone creates a false sense of security.
Instead, conservationists at the Danau Girang Field Centre (DGFC) urged the public to adopt a strategy to limit crocodile entry into specific river areas frequently used by people.
DGFC said it is piloting practical, long-term projects to introduce Crocodile Exclusion Enclosures – a measure providing protected sections of the river that allow safer water access by physically limiting crocodile entry.
The conservation group also aims to educate people on crocodile behaviour, reducing exposure and changing high-risk patterns of river use.
DGFC crocodile expert Dr Sai Kerisha said human life remains the absolute priority in conservation efforts.
“Conservation is often misunderstood as prioritising wildlife over people. In reality, our work is about protecting lives in shared environments.
“Human safety and the lived experiences of those residing alongside these apex predators are central to everything we do.”
Kerisha said frequent human activities such as fishing or bathing at the same river access points allow crocodiles to learn patterns, significantly increasing the likelihood of an encounter.
DGFC noted that while crocodiles have been harvested and removed in Sabah for years, incidents continue to rise, proving that removal alone is not a deterrent.
DGFC director Dr Benoit Goossens said permanent solutions require more than reactive culling.
“The goal is not to choose between people and crocodiles. The goal is to ensure that people are safer in the environments where they live and work.
“Therefore, we must focus on reducing risk at its source through awareness, better infrastructure and a realistic understanding of river ecosystems,” he said.
