Saltwater crocodile

The Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) is the largest of all crocodilian species, with mature males reaching 7-metre and weighing over a tonne. Male crocodilians can grow larger and often faster than females, although in their natural environment, they reach sexual maturity at the same age. The species is distributed from the western coast of India, to the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago, south-east Asia, and southward to northern Australia and south Pacific

Incidental killing of Sunda clouded leopard in Sarawak, Malaysia

The Sunda clouded leopard Neofelis diardi is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is protected throughout its range. Little is known of its hunting in Sarawak, Malaysia. We conducted an opportunistic survey on the distribution of clouded leopard in Sarawak based on skins and reports of its hunting from 2013 to 2016. We also visited 38 towns and villages during this period. We asked local hunters if they own skins of Sunda clouded leopard and if they could show them to us. Based on this survey, the distribution of Sunda clouded leopard in western Sarawak appears to be patchy. Most of the records showed that the species persists in secondary and primary forest in central and northern Sarawak. Based on skins, a total of nine areas with Sunda clouded leopard presence have been identified. Killing of Sunda clouded leopard was mostly incidental and occasionally in self-defense with little evidence of cross boundary trade

Population Ecology of Crocodylus porosus at Kuching Wetland National Park, Human-Crocodile Conflict and Management Plan for Crocodile in Sarawak, 2016-2020, Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo)

The Estuarine Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) is one of the world’s most well-known crocodile species, as it is one of the largest of present-day reptiles, and a macro-predator of large mammals. It inhabits both marine and freshwater habitats. Crocodiles are a living link with the dinosaur-like reptiles of prehistoric times and are the nearest living relatives of birds, and have been in existence for the past 200 million years. Crocodiles loom large in human imagination and perceptions amongst many local communities in Sarawak. Without a better understanding on the nature, biology and ecology of crocodiles, these perceptions can create antagonistic attitude towards the species. Better understanding of crocodiles would also allow improved management of the species. Estuarine Crocodile has been widely studied elsewhere, but in Sarawak, Malaysia, have been limited. In Sarawak, the species is protected under Wild Life Protection Ordinance, 1998 and has been down-listed to CITES Appendix II, allowing trade of the species taken from the wild. Thus a study on ecology of the species in Kuching Wetland National Park (KWNP), an analysis on possible factors that lead to increase in Human-Crocodile Conflict in Sarawak and the introduction of a Management Plan for the species within the State for a period from 2016 until 2020 were conducted. The study was aimed at investigating its habitat use within the Park, to test for effect of forest cover, tidal and lunar cycles on its activities, abundance and distribution within the area. The study also aimed to determine population structure and dietary preference of the species, particularly juveniles. On the other hand, the aims of the Human-Crocodile Conflict analysis are to identify factors associated with attacks, and to address the issues while the introduction of the management plan aims to reduce conflict, guiding the Government and the general public on sustainable management of crocodile and assure returns for local communities and the State of Sarawak iv from commercialization of the species. The study shows that all four size classes of the Estuarine Crocodiles inhabit the Park all year round, with a peak of its breeding season in the months of August and September, indicating that KWNP is of Type-I habitat for the species. Clearing of mangrove forests along Sungai Lemidin Besar and Sungai Lemidin Kecil affects distribution, abundance and activities of hatchlings along the rivers, as the area could no longer support food supplies for hatchlings and nesting materials for adults. Conversely, the absence of forest cover and vegetation do not affect activities of adult crocodiles. Activity pattern of the species in KWNP was not significantly affected by lunar cycles, though adults seemed to be more wary towards humans during bright moon-lit nights. Tide levels also did not seem to affect activities of all size classes of the species. The study also shows that Estuarine Crocodiles in KWNP were not evenly distributed along rivers, but tend to congregate at parts of the Park, presumably with greater food sources and forest cover. Analysis on Human-Crocodile Conflict shows that most of the attacks over the last 23 years were associated with activities of its victims such as bathing, wading or fishing in rivers during late afternoons or at dusk. Though Estuarine Crocodiles are predators and opportunistic feeders, the attacks that occur at dusk might be due to mistaken identity for monkeys. The implementation of the management plan for crocodile in Sarawak has the potential to reduce the rate of crocodile attacks on humans while at the same time would ensure sustainable management of the species in the State. Keyword: Macro-predator, antagonistic attitude, prehistoric time, habitat, lunar cycl

Diet of juvenile Crocodylus porosus in Kuching Wetlands National Park, Sarawak, East Malaysia

The diet of juvenile, including hatchlings and presumed yearlings of the Saltwater Crocodile, Crocodylus porosus, was studied at the Kuching Wetlands National Park, western Sarawak, East Malaysia (Borneo), using both frequency of occurrence and volumetric composition of diet through the stomach flushing technique. Crustaceans form the primary component of the diet of juvenile crocodiles, comprising shrimps of the family Atyidae (Caridina sp., and Penaeus indicus), occurring in the stomach of 17 individuals (53% by occurrence). An estimated 91.7% of hatchlings stomach-flushed had shrimps, and the emergence of hatchlings may be associated by inland migration of its shellfish prey, as reported in the literature. The secondary food item of hatchlings and presumed yearlings was ocypodid crabs, occurring in 16 individuals (in addition to a subadult), and comprise 47%–50% by occurrence. Other items taken incidentally include rodents (in large yearlings, exceeding 100 cm in total length), and fish (in seven hatchlings and in one subadult), or in 29% of total individuals captured (47.7% in hatchlings and 15% in yearlings). A dietary change in ontogeny is therefore evident, as reported earlier in crocodilians

Large Mammals

Mohd-Azlan, J., Andrew Alek Tuen, Alfanso Mckenzie Simon, Gilbert, Engkamat Lading, Dayang Nuriza, Mustafa Abdul Rahma