Kg Muara Tuang sleeps easy after Crocodile Hunter fan captures 3m reptile
Something to remember: A villager taking the opportunity to have his photo taken with the reptile and Azlan (right).
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KOTA SAMARAHAN: Azlan Saini is an avid fan of the Crocodile Hunter wildlife documentary television series.
He has watched countless episodes, and was distressed when Australian wildlife expert, television personality, conservationist and series host Steve Irwin died in September 2006.
Little did Azlan know that some of the knowledge he had consumed would come handy later in his life.
Fast forward to Friday and the 29-year-old military police volunteer was called into action.
He and two friends managed to capture a rogue crocodile that had been terrorising Kampung Muara Tuang villagers since last year.
This reptile, measuring some 3m (nine feet), had made a drainage system in the village its domain.
Villagers said it had been attacking their pets and livestock, particularly chickens.
They also said it would lunge at those who dared to venture near the drain as alleged by one villager, who gave his name as Nawawi.
The 55-year-old from Kampung Muara Tuang 1 said he had a close encounter with the lurking beast last Aug 10 while disposing of rubbish.
He had used a rake to fend off the reptile and it bit off the front end.
On Friday around 7pm, one of Azlan’s friends, who wanted gave his name as only Halim, was walking near the area on his way to have a massage.
He chanced upon the crocodile and “I quickly called Azlan, who happened to be nearby”.
Azlan and two other friends, Mohamad Haizie, 33, and Awang Nur Salam, 26, rushed over, armed with a fishing net, rope and sticks.
Using what he had learnt from the Crocodile Hunter, Azlan managed to rope the reptile with the help of Haizie and Awang.
Although the task was a dangerous one, the thought of coming so close to finally ending the sleepless nights of his fellow villagers steeled his nerves.
He then blindfolded the beast to keep it calm and from harming itself and his captors.
The crocodile was brought to the village’s multipurpose hall at around 11pm, drawing a large crowd of curious onlookers.
The Forestry Department is expected to relocate the reptile.
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