KOTA KINABALU: Sabah has decided to start culling crocodiles at hotspot areas, but there will be no meat or any by-product of these reptiles sold, said the state Wildlife Department.

       Its director, Augustine Tuuga, said this is because the process of selling the meat, which includes getting approval from the government, would be tedious and time-consuming, more so with limited manpower in the wildlife department.

       When contacted on Thursday (Feb 1), he said their focus is on culling the reptiles and not having to worry about selling the meat.

       He said culling efforts started in the Papar district on Jan 25 and ended on Jan 27.

       Tuuga said during the three-day operation, a total of 32 crocodiles - 19 in Sungai Kawang, 12 in Sungai Kinarut and one in Sungai Papar, were shot dead.

       “This is to reduce the risk of crocodile attacks towards humans, and so we acted on the directive given by the state government,” he said.

       He said this initiative will be conducted throughout Sabah in phases.

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       “The crocodiles culled will be buried and disposed of. No meat or products from the culled reptile will be sold or exported because we have no export license for crocodiles,” Tuuga said.

       Asked if crocodile skin can be used to make handbags or other accessories, he said no factories specialise in this business in Sabah.

       The agencies involved in this ongoing operation are the Home Affairs and Research Office, Papar district office, Sabah Wildlife Department, Fire and Rescue Department, Civil Defence, police, and Outward Bound Sabah.