By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Sept 11: Individuals and companies holding crocodile hunting licenses issued by the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) are being urged to take a more proactive role in controlling the region’s crocodile population but such efforts must remain controlled to prevent the extinction of the species.
Although licenses are granted for commercial purposes, such as obtaining crocodile meat and skin, Deputy Minister for Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Datuk Len Talif Salleh said that many license holders have been slow to take full advantage of their permits.
“We have issued licenses and permits to anyone interested in hunting crocodiles for meat, skin, and other commercial purposes. Unfortunately, despite having these permits, many are not actively engaging in hunting,” he said in a Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) news report.
He noted that some licensees only act when complaints arise, responding only after incidents occur.
“This reactive approach results in most permit holders remaining passive, leaving only one or two companies actively involved in carrying out culling activities in efforts to control the crocodile population,” he explained.
His remarks came in response to recent social media reports highlighting an increase in crocodile sightings near residential areas and villages across Sarawak.
Earlier, Len Talif represented Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan to officiate at the 2nd Natural Science and Technology Conference (NaSTeC 2025) at a local hotel here, on Wednesday (Sept 10).
He emphasised that, alongside controlled hunting, the Sarawak government has implemented the Sarawak Integrated Crocodile Management Plan as a long-term solution.
The plan includes relocating crocodiles from human settlements to specially designated areas, such as Kuching Wetland National Park, Seduku Island in Sri Aman, Rajang Mangrove Swamp National Park, and selected locations in Sibuti and Limbang.
While the government does not restrict licensed hunting to reduce human-wildlife conflict, Len Talif stressed that such actions must remain controlled to safeguard the species and maintain the balance of Sarawak’s river ecosystems. — DayakDaily
