WHAT would your reaction be at the sight of a crocodile in your neighbourhood?
While most of us would beat a hasty retreat (the braver ones whipping out smartphones to try and capture what will hopefully NOT be the basis for a found-footage horror flick), this was apparently not the case with a man in Sandakan, Sabah.
It was reported that he shocked his neighbours and authorities alike by single-(and bare-)handedly capturing a 2m-long crocodile from a large roadside drain and stuffing it into a sack.
Did this unsanctioned wrestling "match" really take place?
VERDICT:
TRUE
The incident occurred at Kampung Forest in Sandakan just after 1.30pm on Wednesday (April 16) when the crocodile was found in a concrete ditch.
Instead of fleeing, the man wrestled it, tied it up and placed it in a sack before calmly calling emergency services.
His action, while bold, prompted a strong safety reminder from the Civil Defence Force (APM).
Sandakan APM officer Capt Sulaiman Salama advised the public not to take such risks.
“If you see a crocodile in your area, please prioritise your safety and that of your family.
"Do not act impulsively or try to catch it yourself. Report it immediately to the authorities or call MERS 999," he said.
APM Sandakan personnel arrived at the scene shortly after and helped secure the crocodile by tying it with ropes and covering its eyes with cloth to keep it calm.
The operation ended successfully by 2.05pm, with no injuries reported. The crocodile will be handed over to the Sabah Wildlife Department.
