04 January 2013 | last updated at 12:35AM
Croc caught in residential area
Sabah Wildife Deparment officers taking away the crocodile yesterday. Pic by Junaidi Ladjana
KOTA KINABALU: Authorities have caught a two-metre-long crocodile in a drain of a housing estate here, yesterday.
The capture of the reptile brought relief to residents who first spotted it over a week ago in the Kepayan Ridge area nearby.
At 9am yesterday, the crocodile was spotted in a drain not far from a row of shoplots, prompting residents to lodge a report with the authorities.
The Sabah Wildlife Department, assisted by the Fire and Rescue Department and Civil Defence Department, sprung into action.
Senior veterinarian Dr Sen Nathan said they cornered the crocodile in a culvert before trapping it with a leash at noon.
"We will do a quick check on the the animal and release it in a crocodile sanctuary, probably in the east coast."
Dr Sen said the crocodile probably came from one of the many monsoon drains that swelled and overflowed during the downpour.
"There are crocodiles within the state capital and all along the west coast," added Dr Sen, who is also the Wildlife Rescue Unit chief.
