LABUAN: A 1.5-metre saltwater crocodile weighing about 15kg was captured by the Civil Defence Force (APM) in early morning operation last Thursday.
APM Labuan Team Leader, Sergeant Jairun Masil, said the department received a report of a wild animal sighting at about 2.57am in Kampung Nagalang.
“The complainant was on his way to go fishing when he spotted a young crocodile inside a drain and immediately contacted APM for assistance,” he said.
A search and capture operation was launched involving nine members of the Malaysia Civil Defence Special Forces. The operation ended at about 4.10am after the reptile was secured.
The crocodile was later handed over to the Labuan Wildlife Department for further action.
APM Labuan has advised residents to remain vigilant and report any emergencies to 087-415440 or 087-414293.
In a separate sighting, a resident claimed to have seen a larger saltwater crocodile measuring about 2.5 metres and weighing more than 25 kilogrammes in Sungai Kampung Ranca-Ranca on Wednesday.
Jairun urged villagers living near the riverbanks to exercise caution when approaching Sungai Ranca-Ranca due to fears of possible crocodile attacks.
Last week, another crocodile was reportedly sighted in the waters off Kampung Patau-Patau before subsequent sightings in Kampung Nagalang and Pulau Eno, raising concerns among residents over increased crocodile activity in the area.
