KOTA KINABALU: A new integrated crocodile conflict mitigation and management project has been launched in Sabah to address the growing number of interactions between people and saltwater crocodiles in rivers and waterways across the state.
The two-year project, running from February 2026 to February 2028, is led by Danau Girang Field Centre (DGFC) in collaboration with the Sabah Wildlife Department, with funding from Yayasan Hasanah.
DGFC Crocodile Conservation Officer Dr Sai Kerisha Kntayya, who is also Regional Vice-Chair of the IUCN Crocodile Specialist Group, said the initiative adopts a comprehensive approach combining physical risk-reduction measures, crocodile population monitoring, and public safety programmes.
“The project is based on the understanding that the removal or killing of crocodiles does not reduce long-term risk or improve safety in river systems,” she said. “Effective mitigation requires reducing direct exposure, improving public awareness, and applying ecological knowledge to guide management decisions. These principles underpin the design of this project.”
A key component is the installation of physical mitigation structures in high-risk areas, beginning with a Crocodile Exclusion Enclosure (CEE) at Batu Putih along the Kinabatangan River. The enclosure is intended to provide a safer space for river-based activities in areas where frequent human use overlaps with crocodile presence.
By physically limiting access to high-risk sections of the river, the CEE aims to reduce the likelihood of dangerous encounters while allowing communities to continue using waterways that are central to daily life. Batu Putih was selected as the pilot site due to its close proximity to crocodile habitat and the community’s strong dependence on the river. Lessons from the pilot will guide the possible rollout of similar measures in other high-risk locations across Sabah.
Alongside mitigation efforts, the project includes state-wide crocodile population monitoring to strengthen evidence-based management. This builds on surveys conducted between 2017 and 2019, which established baseline data on crocodile distribution and relative abundance. Follow-up surveys will assess changes over time and expand coverage to three additional West Coast rivers following increased reports of crocodile sightings.
Public safety and awareness form another core pillar of the initiative. Community-based programmes will promote safer behaviour around rivers, while new and improved warning signage will be installed at identified high-risk locations to better communicate risks to residents and visitors.
Sabah Wildlife Department director Mohd Soffian Abu Bakar said the department welcomed new, community-focused approaches to managing human-crocodile conflict.
“This pilot project prioritises physical mitigation measures, population monitoring, and strong community engagement, awareness, and education to support sustainable conservation management,” he said.
DGFC director Benoit Goossens, who is also a professor at Cardiff University and the project’s principal investigator, said the initiative aims to deliver long-term solutions that balance public safety with conservation needs.
“By integrating physical interventions, updated population data, and sustained public engagement, the project seeks to reduce conflict in high-interaction areas while recognising both the ecological importance of crocodiles and the safety needs of communities living alongside them,” he said.
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