MELAKA: A 400kg saltwater crocodile was caught near a tidal control gate in Klebang, Melaka, last night.
The 4.3-metre reptile was captured by a team of 12 Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) personnel from Melaka, Selangor, and Perak.
Melaka Perhilitan director Petra Sulai said they had been on the hunt for the crocodile since 13 December.
Yesterday, the team detected the crocodile in the waters near the tidal gate around 5pm and immediately set a trap.
"The trap worked like a snare," he said when contacted.
Petra said the team, which comprised veterans with over 30 years of experience in catching crocodiles, tried three times to snare the crocodile.
"We couldn't snare its snout as it did not want to leave the area. After that, it tried to escape towards Sungai Malim.
"We finally managed to snare it on our fourth attempt at 10pm," he said, adding that they were assisted by Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) personnel.
By then, a large crowd, including nearby villagers, had gathered to watch the crocodile being caught, causing a 1km traffic crawl along Jalan Klebang.
Petra said it took nearly two hours for the team to pull the crocodile from the water.
He said the crocodile, which is believed to have eaten three goats belonging to farmers in Kampung Tengah, will be sent to a temporary conservation site.
"This is the fifth saltwater crocodile we have captured in Melaka since May."
The others were caught in Kampung Tengah, Sungai Malim, and Kuala Linggi.