Malaysian villagers abandon ancient taboo to hunt killer crocodiles as attacks rise

Villagers in Sarawak, Malaysia, are abandoning an ancient taboo against hunting crocodiles due to a rise in attacks. This shift comes as the crocodile population in the state's rivers has rebounded to over 25,000 in 2024, after being nearly wiped out in the 1980s. Daniel Muking, a community headman, broke the taboo after his son was killed in a May 2024 attack, stating, "It has eaten my child, so I have every right to kill it."

• Crocodile attacks caused 22 deaths between 2023 and 2025, with five fatalities so far this year.
• Sarawak authorities are issuing hunting licenses and launched a reporting app to manage the population, balancing conservation with community safety.
• The Sarawak Forestry Corporation noted that while encounters are more frequent, attacks have declined compared to two decades ago, possibly because crocodiles find food more easily near human settlements.
• Authorities are relocating crocodiles away from human settlements, and the crocodile identified in Daniel's son's death was hunted, providing closure.