Arya News - A team led by crocodile hunter Jeffery Siew successfully recovered 41 crocodile eggs after discovering a rare nesting site in central Sarawak, handing 40 viable eggs over to the Sibu Forest Department for protection.
SIBU – A team led by crocodile hunter Jeffery Siew handed over 40 crocodile eggs to the Sibu Forest Department after discovering a nest in the central region of Sarawak—a rare occurrence for the area.
A Forest Department official noted that while crocodile egg nests are more commonly spotted in Miri and Kuching, finding one near the Igan River forest in Sibu is particularly uncommon in recent years.
“Crocodiles typically select remote, sparsely populated forest areas along rivers to build their nests, making them extremely difficult to locate.
“The incubation period usually lasts about three months. When one egg was accidentally damaged during recovery, we found a fully formed hatchling inside, indicating the rest of the eggs will likely hatch within the next few days,’’ said the officer.
The Sibu Forest Department plans to transport the eggs to its Kuching headquarters as soon as possible.
Typically, recovered eggs are kept for educational and display purposes or safely disposed of.
Authorities have urged the public—especially villagers living in riverbank communities—to notify the Forest Department or local authorities immediately if they spot a nest.
Residents should avoid approaching, touching, or disturbing nests, as protective mother crocodiles lurking nearby can attack without warning.
The discovery unfolded right after Siew’s team had captured a 12-foot-2-inch (3.7metre) crocodile in the waters near Kampung Kebuaw. While transporting the reptile back to Sibu, they received an urgent call from a local resident about a nest found deep in the nearby forest.
“We were completely exhausted, but knowing the eggs could hatch at any moment, we turned back immediately,” Siew said.
Guided by the local resident, the team trekked 20 minutes from the village and crossed a small stream to reach the nesting site as dusk approached. A total of 41 eggs were counted in the nest.
A guarding mother’s ambush
While inspecting the nest, the team heard sudden movement in the surrounding brush. A mother crocodile—measuring over 9 feet (2.74m) long—emerged from the bushes in an attempt to attack the group. Fortunately, the team reacted quickly and subdued the reptile without anyone being injured.
Siew noted that the mother crocodile was surprisingly underweight.
“After laying eggs, mother crocodiles stay nearby in the dense foliage to protect their nest from predators and humans,” Siew said.
“Because she remained on guard for so long without leaving to forage, she was extremely emaciated and light enough for a couple of strong villagers to carry.”