The 200kg crocodile caught at Kampung Lobong Pulau Gaya.
KOTA KINABALU: A 14.5-foot crocodile weighing about 200kg was caught in Kampung Lobong, Pulau Gaya here on Saturday.
It is believed that the reptile was caught by local villagers around 5pm, after the Wildlife Department was alerted of its presence around 3pm the same day, when videos of the crocodile went viral on WhatsApp.
According to Kota Kinabalu police chief ACP Mohd Zaidi Abdullah, a Malaysia Civil Defence Force (JPAM) team arrived at Pulau Gaya around 7pm after receiving a report. The crocodile was handed over to the Wildlife Department.
The crocodile was then taken to the Lok Kawi Wildlife Park rescue centre for health screening before sending it to a new location.
The Wildlife Department advises the public to lodge official reports to relevant authorities, such as the police, JPAM or the department itself, if there are wildlife disturbances. The public is also reminded to exercise caution in dealing with wildlife and human conflict.