MELAKA: A 5m-long crocodile, weighing close to 500kg, was captured by firemen at Jalan Pantai Siring, Kampung Pantai in Merlimau here.

       The Merlimau Fire and Rescue station received a distress call at 12.06pm on Wednesday (April 17) and a seven-man team, led by operations commander Mohd Suffian Abu Bakar, was dispatched to the scene.

       A Melaka Fire and Rescue Department spokesman said the operation started as soon as the team arrived at the scene in about ten minutes.

       He said the reptile, a saltwater crocodile, was caught in less than an hour with the help of local fishermen in the area.

       The spokesman added that the crocodile will be handed over to the state Wildlife and Natural Parks (Perhilitan).