By Sim YH –
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, 8 SEPT – The local community is called to be involved in helping to deal with the issue of conflict between humans and crocodiles in this country.
The call was made by the Head of the Wildlife Division, Forestry Department, Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism, Haji Mohd Dinie bin Haji Mahadi during the Briefing and Dialogue Session on Human and Crocodile Conflict Issues which took place at the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Foundation Mosque (Foundation), yesterday .
The briefing session conducted by the Kampong Ayer Zone 2 Mukim Consultation Council and the villages under it with the cooperation of members of the Takmir Committee (AJKT) of the Yayasan Mosque and the Wildlife Division, Forestry Department was attended by the Penghulu of the Zone 2 Mukim of Kampong Ayer, Brunei and Muara District, Awang Raimi bin Awang Rashid, acting Village Heads of Zone 3 and Zone 4 of Kampong Ayer, AJKT of the mosque and the villagers.
Haji Mohd Dinie touched on the crocodile scenario in this country where people think that crocodiles in Brunei’s waters affect safety and bring discomfort or doubt to do any activity in the river, beach or lake.
People think that the population of crocodiles is increasing compared to before and the conflict between humans and crocodiles needs to be dealt with immediately to prevent unwanted things from happening.
The cause is clearly likely to be from rapid development especially on the banks of the river due to the expansion of creeks and felling of mangrove trees which disturb the crocodile habitat and cause the crocodile food source to be disturbed.
According to the statistics highlighted during the briefing, in 2023, a total of 111 complaints were received regarding crocodile sightings and 111 actions were taken with 42 crocodiles caught. Of the total number of complaints received, 53 percent were in Brunei and Muara Districts, Belait District (29 percent), Tutong District (13 percent) and Temburong District (5 percent).
The statistics show an increase compared to 2022 where 68 complaints were received and 52 actions were taken and 24 crocodiles were caught.
Haji Mohd Dinis advises the public to stay at least three meters from the river bank; do not throw garbage everywhere; keep their beasts of burden away from the banks of the river; avoid doing activities near water areas where there is a potential presence of crocodiles; avoid using small boats such as kayaks, rafts and canoes in areas where there are potential crocodiles; avoid potential crocodile nesting areas and stay away from areas where signs and crocodile traps are posted. To understand crocodiles to reduce the risk of attack, night, dusk, dawn and rainy days are when crocodiles are most active.
Crocodiles can move upstream during high water levels and floods and crocodiles can also move to areas where they are rarely found.
He also revealed that since 4 February 2023, a total of 51 active traps have been installed in Zone 1 and Zone 2 of Kampong Ayer where six crocodiles were successfully caught.
The briefing session also explained procedures, tips and precautions to avoid crocodile attacks, especially when in their habitat areas such as rivers and beaches.
Also giving information following the field of duty as a member of the action team agency are representatives from the police force and the Fire and Rescue Department.
