PASIR PUTIH: Villagers staying near Gong Ketereh river have expressed worry over another possible crocodile attack after a fisherman barely survived the ordeal near the area on Sunday.
They claimed there were at least 10 crocodiles living in the swamp along the Kemasin-Semerak canal and believed the reptiles have started to wander closer to human settlements following rapid development in the surrounding areas.
This, they said have also caused concern among residents in nearby Kampung Gong Ketereh, Kampung Gong Damak, Kampung Tok Ajam, Kampung Telaga Gayung and Kampung Jelor.
One of villagers, Mohd Rushaidi Mat Nawi, 27, said the fear was real and pointed out that he too had had such close encounter last Friday.
"I saw a large black object floating in the river when passing through Kampung Jelor about noon last friday. I though it was a log but it turned out to be a crocodile.
"I was startled and immediately left the area," said the odd-job worker when met at the spot where fisherman-cum-carpenter Ibrahim Nor was attacked.
It was reported that in the 8.30pm incident, Ibrahim, 58, and three friends were cleaning the fishing nets on the river bank when he felt a searing pain on his left leg.
He managed to break free from the crocodile's jaw after a struggle and ended up with 20cm bite mark on his leg.
Ibrahim had said that he was aware of crocodiles sightings in the area but had not heard of anyone being attacked since he started catching prawns there 12 years ago.
Mechanic Zahari Musa said there has been no cases of crocodile attack in the district for more than 10 years.
"The latest incident really came as a shock to us. Many of us, who normally went to the river to fish have stopped doing so for fear of our safety," said the 60 year old.
An odd job worker Yusof Maidin, 64, said something needed to be done because a majority of the 2,000 people living in the area depended on the river for their source of income.
"Many of us are afraid to go to the river since Monday because we are afraid of a similar attack," said the man from Kampung Telaga Gayung.
Meanwhile, state Wildlife Department director Muhammad khairi Ahmad said the department has set up two traps yesterday to capture the crocodile at the Kemasin canal and Kampung Gong Ketereh.
"The operation involved 10 officers with the help of seven Civil Defence Department personnel." he said.