The rampant presence of crocodiles as well as rising population of stray dogs and monkeys came to the fore yesterday on the fourth day of Legislative Council (LegCo) meeting.
Fifty-seven crocodiles were caught between January 2023 and February 2024 with six crocodiles caught at Kampong Ayer alone, said Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Abdul Manaf bin Haji Metussin responding to LegCo member Yang Berhormat Dr Haji Mahali bin Haji Momin’s query on the rise in the crocodile population.
“A rising number of crocodiles is a serious concern. Under the Wildlife Division at the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism, there are efforts to tackle the issue. The Wildlife Division has been holding roadshows, installing signboards and catching crocodiles with the assistance from villagers, the Fire and Rescue Department, and the Royal Brunei Police Force”.
Fifty-one traps have been installed at Kampong Ayer, and six crocodiles have been caught so far. “We are also hiring experts to catch crocodiles and relocate them to the Sinaut sanctuary in Tutong District. There is also a programme to study the crocodile population along Brunei River and will be extended to Tutong and Belait rivers, to determine whether the animal needs to be culled and the skin harvested to be sold commercially.”
Meanwhile, Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Abdul Manaf attributed the rampant presence of monkeys to the loss of habitat at urban areas.
On the issue of stray dogs, Minister of Home Affairs Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ahmaddin bin Haji Abdul Rahman said 31 stray dogs have been relocated to the National Animal Shelter for Stray (NASS) that are open for adoption.
He also shared that the Ministry of Home Affairs is working closely with Sejahtera Community Brunei and PawsUp Animal Shelter on the issue.
He also called on dog owners to register their pets and warned that it is an offence to own an animal without a license and could land the owner a BND250 fine or a 14-day jail term. – Azlan Othman & Rokiah Mahmud
