KOTA TINGGI: A four-and-a-half metre long crocodile that was sighted crossing the road at Jalan Tiong Nam, Pengerang here has been captured by the Fire and Rescue Department.

       Sebana Cove Fire and Rescue Department chief Mohd Khairul Dahari said that the crocodile was spotted lingering around the area on Tuesday (May 3) night.

       “We received a call from a member of the public about the crocodile at 12.04am on Wednesday (May 4). A total of 16 firemen from two fire stations were deployed to the scene to capture the reptile.

       “Upon arrival, we found that the 15-feet-long (4.57m) crocodile was still moving around at the side of the road.

       “We took around 15 to 20mins to capture the crocodile with the assistance of a People's Volunteer Corps (Rela),” he said when contacted here on Wednesday (May 4).

       He added that the crocodile was later handed over to the Wildlife and National Parks Department to be released in its natural habitat.

       “There were no injuries spotted on the crocodile and we believe that the reptile may have come from the nearby Sungai Lepau,” he said, adding that the operation ended at 1.39am.

       Mohd Khairul also reminded the public to always seek assistance from the department to capture wild animals and to never take matters into their own hands.