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

In Sarawak, Malaysia, an indigenous community breaks a long-held taboo after a rise in crocodile attacks. Headman Daniel Muking, whose son was killed in May 2024, supports hunting. The crocodile population rebounded to over 25,000 in 2024, with 22 deaths from attacks between 2023 and 2025. Authorities issue hunting licenses and a reporting app.

In Sarawak, Malaysia, an indigenous community has broken a long-standing taboo against hunting crocodiles as attacks on humans increase. The headman, Daniel Muking, whose son was killed in a crocodile attack in May 2024, said, "It has eaten my child, so I have every right to kill it." The crocodile population in Sarawak's rivers rebounded to over 25,000 in 2024 after being nearly wiped out in the 1980s. Crocodile attacks caused 22 deaths between 2023 and 2025, with five fatalities so far this year. The Sarawak state government has begun issuing hunting licenses and launched a mobile app for reporting sightings. Authorities balance conservation with safety, and licensed hunters help relocate crocodiles away from settlements. For Daniel's family, the hunting of the crocodile responsible brought closure.