A replica of Bujang Senang's massive skull

Once upon a time there lived a huge man-eating crocodile that terrorised the villages along the Batang Lupar River in Sri Aman, Sarawak. His name was "Bujang Senang" or Happy Bachelor. Some say that he was a reincarnation of a powerful warrior who was killed by his enemies after his wife had betrayed him.

The first attack occurred in 1982 but villagers claimed that the killing spree started as early as 1960. Fourteen people had reportedly been killed by crocodiles and locals believed that it was the work of Bujang Senang.

The authorities tried to capture him by bringing in teams of sharpshooters, crocodile hunters and bomohs (witch doctors). Despite numerous attempts made to hunt him down, he escaped unscathed each time. He soon became a legend among the locals.

The legendary 'Bujang Senang' captured by villagers in 1992

After playing hide and seek with the authorities for more than a decade, the man-eating career of Bujang Senang came to an end on May 20, 1992. He was shot dead after he had attacked and killed a 30-year-old woman who was crossing a tributary of the Batang Lupar River with her elderly parents.

It took the villagers nearly four hours to haul him ashore. At 19 feet and three inches and weighing over a tonne, he was a monster. Crocodiles, feared more than any other wild animal by the local inhabitants of Borneo, continue to exact a toll on human lives along the Batang Lupar river and other rivers of Borneo.

Visitors can view crocodiles at close range while remaining completely safe

A crocodile jumping for its food

They are of an ancient lineage, believed to be 200 million years old and have changed little since the time of the dinosaurs. When dinosaurs became extinct about 65 million years ago, crocodiles survived. Of all reptiles, they are the largest and have the most complex behaviour, including elaborate courtship displays, nest building and social rituals. Despite their appearance of being lethargic and slow, crocodiles are top predators in their environment.

However, only 23 crocodilian species remain today and many of these are in danger of extinction from conflicts with man.

Our visit to Jong Crocodile Farm, located some 29 kilometres south of Kuching on the Serian Highway, provided us with an opportunity to learn more about these creatures.

The farm first opened in 1963 as the largest centre for breeding crocodiles in Sarawak. Today, it is home to more than 1,000 crocodiles and includes a mini zoo with a fine collection of animals such as pheasants, hornbills, monkeys, pythons, barking deer, wild boars, civet, peacocks, sun bears, tortoises and monitor lizards.

A tailless crocodile - the condition is due to a genetic defect

Spread over an area of three and a half acres of land, amidst the charming backdrop of tall tropical trees, it gives visitors a chance to view crocodiles up close while remaining completely safe.

When I saw a replica of Bujang Senang's skull at Jong Crocodile Farm, I was impressed with its well-formed and worn canines on the massive jaw of this menacing creature. It was truly one of the most realistic, larger-than-life-sized replicas that I had ever seen. Looking at the skull closely, one can imagine how powerful its jaw is and how easily it can tear apart its victim and even swallow a person whole!

The presence of two massive man-killers kept under maximum security at the farm serves as a stark reminder of how dangerous crocodiles can be.

Surrounded by high walls and tall fencing is a dangerous offender Pak Indon or Indonesian Grandfather, a saltwater crocodile from Kalimantan, brought into Sarawak in 1963 when it was only three years old and Bujang Sudin, a male estuarine, saltwater crocodile, caught by the villagers of Kampung Gedong at Batang Sandong River in Simunjan, Samarahan division in 1988. Today Pak Indon is the oldest crocodile in the farm, weighing close to 600 kg with a length of 4.6 metres.

Crocodiles are kept in concrete enclosures according to their ages

In addition to the range of crocodiles, crocodile nursery, and educational videos in a special area, visitors can watch live demonstrations by experienced staff members. The best time to visit is around feeding times at 11 am and 3 pm daily, when crocodiles display their acrobatic skills as they jump out of the water for their food. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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