SFC: Crocodile attacks escalate in Sarawak as dumped food waste lures reptiles closer to settlements

Photo for illustration purposes only. Photo credit: Pixabay

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, Sept 26: The rising number of crocodile attacks in Sarawak has been attributed, in part, to the improper disposal of food waste and garbage into rivers.

According to a TVS news report, Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) general manager, Abang Arabi Abang Aimran, revealed that studies indicate these reptiles are increasingly inhabiting rivers near human settlements, such as longhouses and villages.

“Crocodiles have also been spotted in rivers close to urban areas. For instance, along Sarawak River near Satok, we have found that people are dumping food waste like chicken skin, chicken innards, and meat scraps into the river,” he said during an interview with TVS today.

He further explained that the crocodiles are drawn to these food wastes, making them frequent the areas where people live, leading to an increased risk of attacks.

Abang Arabi also highlighted the high probability that waste disposal systems in riverside settlements are unsystematic, causing residents to dump garbage into the rivers.

“Crocodiles are opportunistic predators. They will eat anything floating on the river’s surface, mistaking it for food,” he added.

Crocodiles are likely to continue approaching areas where they can easily find food, raising safety concerns for nearby communities.

To mitigate this issue, Abang Arabi stressed the importance of public awareness and environmental responsibility to prevent future crocodile attacks.

“SFC will continue to strengthen ongoing efforts and initiatives aimed at raising public awareness about this issue.

“We have several educational modules that are shared via social media, and we continue to promote the 3M Programme (Identify, Understand, Conserve) about crocodiles in schools,” he said. — DayakDaily