In the Sungai Tatau area of Sarawak, Malaysia, an 18-foot crocodile has been found with human remains inside, suspected to be that of a young girl. The local community is reeling from the incident in which the reptile dragged six-year-old Cecelia Julan Intik underwater while she was swimming with her family on September 25, 2024.
During the horrifying incident, Cecelia’s sister and grandfather witnessed helplessly as the colossal predator pulled her into the river. Despite their best efforts, the crocodile’s speed and strength prevented any potential rescue.
In the aftermath of the attack, the Sarawak Forestry Corporation initiated an urgent search operation. Within a few days, they had captured two immense crocodiles, each measuring 17 and 18 feet respectively. These are among the most massive crocodiles ever captured in the region, necessitating a tugboat and a crane for their retrieval.
Wildlife experts conducted autopsies on the captured reptiles. Inside the larger crocodile, they discovered human remains. As the Daily Mail reports, teeth, bones, and coins were found in the stomach of the crocodile. The remains are suspected to be Cecelia’s and have been sent to the forensic labs of Malaysia’s Department of Chemistry for further analysis.
Given these incidents, local authorities are advising residents to be extra cautious when near water bodies known to house crocodiles. Sarawak, renowned for its dense forests and diverse wildlife, has witnessed an increase in crocodile attacks recently. This has led to growing concerns about the rising population of saltwater crocodiles in the area. Despite their name, these reptiles often migrate to freshwater rivers and lakes in pursuit of prey.
This incident echoes a similar one in Indonesia where a 54-year-old woman, Halima Rahakbauw, was attacked by a crocodile while swimming in a river. This incident occurred in August, and like Cecelia’s case, human remains were discovered in the reptile after its capture. Local news reported that the crocodile was seen consuming the woman’s body before authorities arrived and killed it.
The aforementioned incidents underscore the lethal threat large crocodiles pose in regions where human habitation and these predators overlap.
