Kota Kinabalu: Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) has intensified monitoring of crocodile populations in Sungai Darau near the DBKK Depot Workshop and other hotspot areas.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Mayor Datuk Seri Dr Sabin Samitah, who heads the Crocodile Threat Management Committee, stated that DBKK had also received reports of crocodile sightings in the sea near Tanjung Lipat beach, which had gone viral on social media. The monitoring is conducted in collaboration with various agencies, including the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), the Sabah Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM), the Sabah Civil Defence Force (APM), and the Wildlife Department (JHL).

Sabin mentioned that the committee, established on January 30, 2024, had conducted a series of crocodile monitoring operations, with the first held from February 29 to March 1 last year in Sungai Darau, Sungai Kalansanan, and several identified hotspot areas. The second operation took place from August 19 to 20 last year, following reports of crocodiles sighted in the sea near Tanjung Lipat beach.

The committee has taken proactive steps, including conducting a study to estimate the crocodile population in areas under DBKK’s purview, installing warning signs in high-risk locations, and setting up closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in hotspot areas. Those with information on crocodile sightings around Kota Kinabalu City are urged to report them immediately to the authorities via the emergency hotline.

Meanwhile, the Kota Kinabalu APM, in a Facebook post, indicated it was monitoring the Tanjung Aru Beach area with JHL following the sighting of a crocodile measuring about 1.5 metres long. It was reported that JHL had fired two shots at the crocodile, but it evaded capture and escaped.