Chai Kuen Ming, who owns a crocodile farm in Miri with more than a thousand of the reptilian species, was quoted by Borneo Post today as saying that lack of food, especially in the rivers, could have led the crocodile to venture into human habitation.
“The reptile might have been hungry and was searching for food due to insufficient fish in the river,” he was quoted saying.
The incident, which went viral on social media, occurred in the early morning when shocked residents saw the five-metre crocodile, estimated to weigh a tonne, making its way along a commercial street.
The Limbang Fire and Rescue Services Department eventually managed to catch it at about 8.15am by covering its head and tying its limbs.
It was later handed over to the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) before being released into the Pandaruan River at 1.15pm.
Chai, who rears crocodiles for their skin and meat, said it was also possible that the “wandering” creature had been chased out from its territory by a stronger rival.
“He may have escaped from his territory nearby, either upstream or downstream of Limbang River, after being beaten by another bigger crocodile,” he was quoted as saying.
Borneo Post also quoted SFC Deputy General Manager (Protected Areas and Biodiversity Conservation Division) Oswald Braken Tisen as saying that the crocodile would be monitored to ensure that it adjusted to its new environment.
“If the reptile is found to be unable to adjust or falls sick, we will move it elsewhere where it can survive,” he added.
The depletion of riverine wildlife has been a major concern due to river pollution and the deteriorating quality of water in the country.
Natural Resources and Environment Minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar had last year said a total of 43, or 9% of rivers in Malaysia, were heavily polluted.
Out of the 473 rivers monitored by the Department of Environment, 186 or 39% were slightly polluted while 244 rivers or 52% were considered clean, he said.
“Most of the polluted rivers are in urban areas where the high pollution load originates from multiple sources, including wastewater plants, industries and commercial premises coupled with small base flow volume due to a large percentage of paved areas,” he said.