KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Parks has stepped up monitoring and control measures at Sapi Island following the sighting of a crocodile in the waters off Pantai B, Tunku Abdul Rahman Park (TTAR), on October 5.
Sabah Parks is conducting joint patrols with the Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD) as part of the measures.
All tourism operators conducting water activities, including scuba diving, snorkeling and sea walking, have been instructed to check the activity areas before allowing tourists to enter the water.
Swimming and snorkeling alone are also not allowed and must be done in groups.
Sabah Parks has installed warning signs about the presence of crocodiles in the area, while lifeguards are giving continuous reminders to visitors.
Tourism industry operators in TTAR have also been briefed on precautionary measures and safety procedures.
Sabah Parks and SWD are conducting a special operation to locate the crocodile.
A net has been installed at an area identified as high risk and is being closely monitored to prevent marine life, particularly turtles, from becoming trapped.
The operation is also aimed at allowing the crocodile to be relocated if it is found.
Monitoring and precautionary measures have also been stepped up in other areas of TTAR.
Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Jafry Ariffin said visitor safety remained the ministry’s priority.
“The ministry takes this matter seriously. Visitor safety is our priority and I have instructed Sabah Parks and the Sabah Wildlife Department to take all necessary measures, including increasing monitoring and search operations in the area,” he said.
He urged the public and visitors to cooperate fully and comply with safety instructions issued by park staff and water activity operators.
Visitors are also advised to immediately inform park staff of any crocodile sighting.
Jafry said the situation would continue to be monitored and existing measures reviewed based on developments. – Wu Vuide
A screengrab from a viral video of a crocodile sighting alongside a snorkeler off Sapi Island recently.
