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NEWS STRAITS TIMES (Kuala Lumpur, Malsysia) 27 December 06 Escaped crocodile to be trapped soon (Cynthia Lee)
Malacca: Zoo authorities have confirmed that the creature terrorising villagers in Kampung Tasik here since Sunday is a crocodile and not a monitor lizard.
Malacca Zoo and Wildlife Department (Perhilitan) staff spotted the crocodile near a chicken coop in the village at about 12.30pm today.
They are now keeping a close watch on the crocodile’s movements.
"We are now monitoring the crocodile's movements. We will set up traps as soon as the flood subsides.
"The water level in the village now measures about 1.5 metres deep. At present, the chance for us to trap the crocodile is less than 10 per cent," said Malacca Zoo director Mohd Nawayai Yasak.
He said it would be easier to trap the crocodile, which was estimated to be about 1.8m long and weigh about 70kg, in still and shallow waters.
Two crocodile sightings were reported to the Malacca Zoo since the flood hit the village.
Escaped crocodile to be trapped soon

THE STAR (Petaling Jaya, Malaysia) 29 December 06 Poser over croc spotted in Malacca village
Malacca: A crocodile spotted feeding on a chicken at Kampung Tasek in Sungai Rambai, near here, has set a poser: could it be one of those that escaped from a reptile farm that was flooded in Muar last week?
State wildlife officers and rangers from the Malacca Zoo have been on standby since Dec 26, after the crocodile was seen in the village, which is in a flood-hit area.
Zoo director Mohd Nawayai Yasak said he received a report about the crocodile on Monday night.
A villager had spotted the crocodile eating his chicken and reported the matter to the authorities, he said.
Kampung Tasek was in 1.3m of water and rangers could not catch the reptile.
At the moment, wildlife officers and rangers are standing by and waiting for the flood to recede.
“It is impossible to catch the crocodile as the water is too deep and it is too risky,” said Mohd Nawayai.
Crocodile sightings were also reported in Muar and Batu Pahat, which had kept Johor wildlife officers busy, he said.
An owner of a crocodile farm had reported that 23 of his reptiles had escaped from captivity.
Anyone sighting any reptile should contact the Malacca Zoo at 06-232-4053 or the Malacca wildlife department at 06-283-3734.
Poser over croc spotted in Malacca village