June 10, 2026
BINTULU – Two giant crocodiles measuring more than five meters were captured in Sungai Kemena by licensed crocodile hunters on Monday.
They are believed to be among the largest captured in Sarawak in recent years, setting a new record for local crocodile catches.
The crocodile hunter team led by Juni Kung carried out the first operation in Kemena River recently, where it had earlier captured two crocodiles and set another trap in the river and captured two more.
The team engaged in a grueling tug-of-war lasting over an hour before successfully subduing the reptiles, said Kung.
The process was incredibly thrilling and dangerous as the reptiles were strong and powerful, but the team eventually managed to drag the 22-foot boat along with them.
“More than 10 of our team members worked together to wear it down, constantly pulling and releasing the line.
“It took over an hour before we finally managed to bring the giant crocodile under control,” Kung said.
Due to the enormous size and staggering weight of the crocodiles, even with more than 10 team members and helpful bystanders working together, they could not lift the reptiles onto a pickup truck.
In the end, a crane had to be deployed to successfully hoist the giant crocodiles and transport them back to town.
When the two massive crocodiles were later hoisted and transported to an open space behind a long-established local eatery in town, word spread quickly, attracting a large crowd of residents who stopped to watch and take photos.
Bystanders were shocked by the crocodiles’ staggering dimensions and praised the hunting team for their efforts to keep the community safe.
Kung said this was only the second operation by the team and they never expected to catch such massive reptiles.
This indicates that the population and size of the crocodiles in the river should not be underestimated.
“Both giant crocodiles have broken the size records for crocodiles caught in Sarawak in recent years.
“We believe they are among the largest wild crocodiles found in the state lately,” Kung said.
Kung pointed out that based on current observations, there is likely still a considerable number of crocodiles in the river.
Moving forward, the team will continue their monitoring and capturing operations to ensure the safety of fishermen and riverside residents.
“After our first operation, we received a lot of support and encouragement from the public, which has motivated the team to keep carrying out crocodile control missions,” he said.
Kung also disclosed that once the necessary official procedures are completed, the two crocodiles will be processed and sold.
Prices will vary depending on the cut, ranging between RM35 and RM65 per kilogram.
He mentioned that many people believe crocodile meat has nourishing properties and holds dietary therapeutic value for people suffering from asthma and respiratory discomfort, meaning there is a steady market demand.
“Going out to hunt crocodiles is physically demanding and highly dangerous.
“It isn’t easy for the team to bear all the expenses on our own. Therefore, the proceeds from selling the crocodile meat will serve as an operational fund to cover fuel, equipment, and other related expenses,” Kung explained.
He said the primary objective of the team is to mitigate the threat posed by the crocodiles and ensure the safety of fishermen and residents along the river, rather than commercial gain.