Croc watch in KK waters after sightings

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Parks is continuously monitoring the waters off islands within the Tunku Abdul Rahman (TAR) Park for the presence of crocodiles, says its director Dr Maklarin Lakim.

He said they were aware of a short clip making the rounds on social media showing what looks like to be a crocodile in the ocean this past week.

“We have actually been monitoring the animal’s presence in the park since a few years ago,” he said when contacted on Saturday (May 11).

“We are well aware of this so we have tasked our coastal officers and rangers to keep an eye out.

“(We have also taken) other initiatives such as putting up warning signs for the public,” he added.

As for the five-second video, Maklarin said it was brought to the park authorities’ attention on Wednesday (May 8).

In the clip, people are heard shouting in astonishment upon seeing the reptile emerge from the water.

The video is also accompanied with the message “Be careful guys, near to Mamutik (Island). It might swim to Gaya Island.”

A screengrab from another video claiming a crocodile was sighted off Dinawan Island.

The TAR Park covers a 50sq km area including five islands namely Gaya, Manukan, Sapi, Mamutik and Sulug. The islands are a boat ride of generally between 10 and 15 minutes from the city centre.

Most of the islands are popular among local and foreign tourists alike especially for snorkelling and water sports, among others.

Maklarin said Sabah Parks has caught juvenile crocodiles near Sapi and Gaya before.

He said the islands of Balambangan and Banggi islands in the Tun Mustapha Park in northern Sabah, also under Sabah Parks, are known to have populations of saltwater crocodiles.

He added that the Sabah Wildlife Department was in charge of monitoring the waters off Tanjung Aru beach here as well as those outside Sabah Parks’ jurisdiction.

“But we are always working together on this matter,” he said.

Another longer video going around claims a crocodile was sighted in waters off Dinawan Island in south-west Papar district about 40km from here.