KUCHING: Photos and videos of a huge crocodile, found overturned on a highway along Jalan Penanjong in Tutong, Brunei on Christmas Day on Wednesday, has caught public attention particularly on social media.
According to Brunei’s Borneo Bulletin, the lifeless carcass of the crocodile was lying on the road after it was hit by a mini sport utility vehicle (SUV).
Based on the video footage, several bystanders were seen redirecting traffic to ensure safety and avoid further incidents.
The incident has sparked mixed reactions online, with some voicing concerns about wildlife venturing onto busy roads, while others expressed sympathy for both the crocodile and the vehicle owner.
The driver of the SUV was unharmed in the collision, but the vehicle’s front sustained damage, and one of its tyres was dislodged upon impact with the reptile.
On Sept 7, a forestry official in Brunei explained the increase in the number of crocodile incidents was due to rapid development along riverbanks, which has led to the expansion of creeks and the felling of mangrove trees, disrupting habitats and food sources.
The Head of the Wildlife Division at the Forestry Department Mohd Dinie Mahadi said the disruption to the crocodile habitats is why the public can frequently see the reptiles encroaching into areas where they are not normally found.
Statistics reveal a rise in crocodile-related incidents in Brunei. In 2023, 111 complaints were reported, leading to the capture of 42 crocodiles, compared to 68 complaints and 24 captures in 2022.
The majority of cases in 2023 originated from the Brunei-Muara District (53 per cent), followed by Belait (29 per cent), Tutong (13 per cent), and Temburong (5 per cent).
