33 year old Nur Fatimah Saleh is believed to have been killed by a saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) while washing clothes along the Tua Lama River in Kalabakan at around 11:00 AM. She was apparently washing clothes alongside another woman when they spotted a crocodile. The other woman apparently decided to leave, but the victim remained. Several moments later the other woman noticed the victim was missing, believed due to being attacked by the crocodile. Her body was recovered at around 3:25 PM with injuries but intact.
Incident details
Outcome: Fatal
Victim Age: 33
Sex: Female
Activity Detail: Washing clothes
Witnessed: No |
Overall Quality of Report |
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Some important information missing or moderately detailed |
Date of Incident | Date Precision |
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2019-09-07 | Precise |
Species | Certainty |
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Saltwater Crocodile | Certain |
Size (metres) | Size Precision |
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Unknown |
Location scale | Location accuracy |
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District |
About the crocodilian
Saltwater Crocodile
The saltwater crocodile shares the notorious reputation of the Nile crocodile as being one of the most dangerous crocodile species to humans. It is regarded as the largest living reptile, with evidence for rare specimens reaching almost 7 m (23 ft). Saltwater crocodiles have the widest distribution of any species, being found from parts of eastern India, throughout SE Asia as far as Vanuatu. Australia is the species’ stronghold, with perhaps 150,000 individuals found in tidal rivers and creeks along the northern coastline. They are equally at home in freshwater, extending far upstream in some areas. This species can travel very long distances by sea, and itinerants can be found well outside the natural range of the species. Recently itinerants have been found within the Maldives, portions of Micronesia and in New Caledonia, while in the past itinerants have been recorded from as far as the main Japanese island of Honshu. Saltwater crocodiles were once found in southern China, but disappeared in the late 19th Century as the human population expanded. The diet of the species changes with size; juveniles feed primarily on invertebrates and small vertebrates, while adults may prey upon almost any animal within their range including fish (plus sharks), reptiles, bats, pigs, domestic livestock, monkeys, and humans. From a conservation standpoint the species is globally secure thanks to large population bases in New Guinea and Australia. Yet many populations face localized extinction (e.g. Bangladesh, Myanmar and Sri Lanka) and it has already been extirpated from a substantial portion of its range (e.g. Seychelles, Thailand and Vietnam). Current threats to the species include the destruction of habitat and direct fear-related killings.
About this record
Last Updated | Contributor | Incident Link | Node | Item GUID | FKID |
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2019-09-08 13:37 | Brandon Sideleau | 100-7574 | 7574 |