The Wildlife Division of the Forestry Department’s study on the crocodile population in Brunei-Muara District is “90 per cent ready”, said Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Abdul Manaf bin Haji Metussin during the 20th session of the Legislative Council meeting yesterday.
The minister said the study is a mandatory step to obtain consideration from the Secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) before crocodiles can be utilised for economic purposes.
“Up to this point, the study has achieved 90 per cent readiness for the Brunei-Muara District,” said the minister, adding that it will be extended to Temburong, Belait, and Tutong rivers.
Meanwhile, to address incidents of human-crocodile conflict, a number of initiatives have been carried out by the department, said the minister.
This includes the installation of around 100 crocodile warning signboards nationwide, public awareness programmes and a crocodile capture programme in Kampong Ayer. Fifty-one traps have been installed in various mukims and villages since February 2023, he said, adding that the department has enlisted services of a specialised foreign company to carry out more effective crocodile captures. – Rokiah Mahmud
