New Straits Times 15 Feb 14;
KINABATANGAN: A female crocodile, among the largest in the Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary here, was captured and tagged by wildlife authorities so that its behaviour could be studied.
The move, which was carried out last Thursday, was a collaborative effort undertaken by the Danau Girang Field Centre (DGFC), Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD) and its Wildlife Rescue Unit, and Cardiff University (CU).
The 3.6m predator is named "Zalim", which means tyrannical or cruel.
DGFC director Dr Benoirt Goossens said the project involved studying the breeding and nesting behaviour of the reptile.
"The information (from the study) is of great importance in a region where substantial portions of historic nesting grounds have already been converted to oil palm.
"We are seeking to understand the role of this apex predator within a degraded habitat."
Scientists believe data obtained from Zalim would provide important insights into the interaction between humans and crocodiles in the ecosystem.
To date, the project had seen the tagging of seven crocodiles, five males and two females.
It is funded by DGFC and Chester Zoo.
The professional tagging team has also taken tissue samples to examine the genetic health of the crocodile population in the region.
"The whole team, who have extensive crocodile-catching experience, worked as a unit to ensure the tagging was as safe and low stress as possible for the animal," said Goosens.
Four-metre long 'Zalim' may provide key to understanding Sabah’s croc population
ruben sario The Star 15 Feb 14;
KOTA KINABALU: Wildlife researchers are hoping to learn how Sabah’s crocodile population is coping with an ever-changing habitat with the help of a 4m long reptile, one of the largest to be captured.
By studying the female creature named Zalim, meaning “tyranny”, wildlife researchers aim to better understand the breeding and nesting behaviour of crocs.
“This information is of great importance in a region where substantial portions of historic nesting grounds have already been converted for agricultural use,” said Dr Benoit Goossens, the Danau Girang Field Centre (DGFC) director.
He said Zalim was captured and tagged with a satellite tracking unit in the Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary (LKWS) on Feb 6 as part of joint effort between the DGFC and the Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD).
“We are seeking to understand the role of this apex predator within a degraded habitat,” said Goossens, adding that seven seven crocodiles, five males and two females, had been tagged as part of the project.
“In addition to the satellite unit, a small tissue sample was also taken to examine the genetic health of the crocodile population in the region,” he said.
Meanwhile, SWD rangers have set traps along Sungai Petagas near the city to capture several crocodiles spotted by villagers over the past several days.
Department assistant director Dr Sen Nathan said the villagers had reported spotting three estuarine crocodiles.
He said a fourth crocodile is believed to have been killed by a boat’s propeller.
