Man survives croc attack in Trusan with severe injuries after poking reptile’s eyes to escape

# News Source
(Borneo Post)
Published : November 5, 2020

LAWAS (Nov 5): An Indonesian worker here survived a crocodile attack after he managed to get the reptile to loosen its grip on him by poking its eyes when he was attacked while working at Ladang Kris Jati Trusan yesterday morning.

Lawas District Police Chief DSP Roslan Leman said during the 10.40am incident, the victim, Sulu Maralang 46, suffered serious injuries to his left thigh which was bitten by the crocodile.

“The victim was harvesting oil palm fruits at the edge of a drain when a crocodile suddenly attacked him, biting down on his left thigh.

“In the ensuing struggle, he managed to poke the crocodile’s eyes with his fingers and when it loosened its grip, he immediately escaped and sought help from his co-workers nearby who subsequently informed the assistant farm manager,” he said in a statement today.

Roslan said the assistant farm manager then sought help from the medical assistant working with the farm to administer first aid to the victim before sending him for further treatment at Lawas Hospital.

According to Roslan, the location of the incident was only 300 meters from the Trusan river, and of late, the workers there had spotted crocodiles in the vicinity, especially during high tide.

Saltwater crocodiles, which can grow up to six metres in length, are known to journey out to sea due to their ability to survive in saltwater by using riverways.

This is the first reported case of a crocodile attack in the area.

 

Enormous crocodile pulled from drain moved to Miri Crocodile Farm safely

# News Source
(Borneo Post)
Published : December 12, 2020

MIRI (Dec 12): A 14-foot-long saltwater crocodile caught last Thursday by the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) and Batu Niah Fire Station personnel at a drain near an oil palm plantation along the Bintulu coastal road, has been relocated to Benaya Farm or Miri Crocodile Farm in Kuala Baram.

A SFC spokesperson said the female crocodile was earlier found entangled in a trap at about 3.20pm on Dec 10.

“With the help of firemen from the Batu Niah Fire and Rescue Station, the female crocodile was successfully rescued and has been sent to Benaya Farm in Kuala Baram,” the spokesperson told The Borneo Post today (Dec 12).

According to the spokesperson, the crocodile was believed to have been searching for food in the area.

“It is believed that about seven to eight dogs have been eaten by the crocodile. It has been a source of food for the crocodile as the drainage is connected to the main river of Niah,” the spokesperson added.

Meanwhile, SFC reminded people to report immediately to the nearest SFC office should they spot any crocodiles encroaching into their areas so that the necessary steps could be taken.

They are reminded against harming the reptile, which is protected under the Wild Life Protection Ordinance 1998.