Beyond the meat and money: Miri team hunts crocodiles to protect lives

Team Eric Cat members with an 18.7-foot (5.69 metres) crocodile caught at Sungai Arang in Baram on Oct 11 this year. — Borneo Post pic

First Published: Saturday, 17 Oct 2026 7:00 AM MYT

MIRI, Oct 17 — Licensed crocodile hunters Team Eric Cat sells an estimated 200kg of crocodile meat a month at RM20 per kg, but their activities are driven more by their interest in catching crocodiles and desire to help the community rather than commercial returns.

Team leader Eric Chong Fook Shin, 41, said they sell their catch to restaurants and individual buyers here, with the price covering both meat and skin.

Proceeds are shared among team members, while sales depend on buyer demand.

“If there are buyers, we sell it. If there are no buyers, sometimes we give the meat to our friends.

“For us, it is not just about selling the meat. We are interested in catching crocodiles, and we also want to help when people make complaints about them,” he told The Borneo Post when contacted yesterday.

Chong said the team has so far not exported any crocodile products, as this requires separate licences and additional procedures.

“The ribs and tail are among the most popular parts for consumption, while demand for other parts is lower.”

He added that he keeps the skulls of the culled reptiles, while the feet and claws are given to friends who request them for ritual purposes.

According to Chong, his interest in crocodile catching began sometime in 2020 when he joined a group of friends on hunting trips.

The activity later developed into a more organised effort, leading to the establishment of Team Eric Cat in June 2025 following a fatal crocodile attack in Marudi in April that year.

The team, which began operations in June 2025, currently has 13 licensed members.

Working with the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC), they carry out crocodile-catching operations in rivers where complaints have been received.

Their operations cover Miri, Marudi and parts of Baram, depending on locations identified and arrangements made with SFC.

Chong said the operations are important as local residents continue to rely on rivers for daily activities, putting them at risk when crocodiles are present.

“Crocodiles suspected of attacking people are of particular concern because they can pose further threats to other river users.”

Through its cooperation with SFC, the team estimates it has caught hundreds of crocodiles.

Chong said a crocodile-catching licence is valid for six months, with a quota of five crocodiles per licence period.

“Renewing the licence provides a further quota of five, while a separate licence, valid for one year, is required to sell crocodile meat.”

The team’s operating expenses are sponsored by Oren Mart, which covers fuel, meals, and other costs incurred during operations.

The team’s activities form part of wider crocodile management efforts in Sarawak.

In a report published by The Borneo Post on Aug 16, SFC Crocodile Management Section wildlife officer Dr Mohd Izwan Zulaini Abdul Gani said 70 crocodile-hunting licences had been issued statewide.

More than 100 crocodiles were caught by licensed hunters in the first half of 2026, with the figure exceeding 200 when crocodiles caught during SFC’s own management operations are included. — The Borneo Post