Fear of crocodile attack sweeps through Lahad Datu

KOTA KINABALU: Crocodile attack and sighting in Lahad Datu caused panic for people living along the rivers there.

Police recovered the leg of a man Orkes Parukog who was attacked and killed by a crocodile while fishing at the Lompatau river in Tampisan about 170kms from Lahad Datu on Dec 21.

Lahad Datu police chief Supt Md Suhaimi Abdul Rahman said Orkes and his brother-in-law had entered the river to set up a fish trap when the crocodile suddenly attacked him.

Apart from the recovery of the leg about 400m away from the scene of the attack, Orkes’ body has yet to be recovered.

Maneater: The crocodile sighted on the banks of the Pancuran River that flows through the town of Lahad Datu.

He said that Orkes’ leg was handed over to his father who have since buried it at Kampung Seri Darun.

He added that Wildlife officials were now hunting for the killer crocodile.

Meanwhile, the sighting of the reptile along the banks of Sungai Pancuran in the east coast is scaring the people there.

A two-metre-long crocodile was spotted several times on the banks of the river, which runs through Lahad Datu.

According to residents, the crocodile remains at the banks of the river that flows directly into the sea but they fear that during high tide it might head for the crowded business areas.

“It is scary, I hope something is done to capture it,” said a trader who identified herself only as Leong.

She said she last spotted the crocodile at about 2.30pm on Wednesday.

But she is unsure if it is the same animal or a different one.

Other residents believe there is only one crocodile in the area and said that in early 2007 they spotted a small-sized crocodile. They believe that it could be the same one that has now grown.

Despite their fears, the crocodile draws large crowds of curious spectators.

Wildlife Department officer Mohd Soffian Abu Bakar said they were identifying the areas where the reptile has been sighted and would set a trap.

There have been no reports of anyone being attacked.

source: The Star Online
date: December 28, 2008