Beyond Sightings: Brunei’s Real Conversation on Crocodiles and Coexistence

 A ground-up approach to managing human-wildlife conflict with empathy and strategy

 

What started over ambuyat by the Brunei River has now reached government halls.

From the heart of Kampong Ayer to the district halls of Tutong, villagers are speaking up—not against crocodiles, but for timely alerts, safe riverbanks, and policy that listens.

This isn’t just a wildlife issue. It’s a governance, communication, and coexistence challenge.

📰 Read the follow-up to Voices from the Riverbanks – now updated with field insights, agency responses, and what’s next for Brunei’s crocodile management strategy.

👇 Full story here at #KopiTalkwithMHO
#Brunei #WildlifeConservation #CommunityVoices #PublicSafety #KampongAyer #EnvironmentalPolicy #HumanWildlifeConflict

Brunei Expands Crocodile Safety Program Amid Rising Sightings and Community Concern

A Follow-Up to “Voices from the Riverbanks” | By Malai Hassan Othman

TUTONG – It began with ambuyat and crocodile talk at a long table in PABO Restaurant, perched above the legendary Brunei River and the once-bustling Kampong Ayer, now haunted by red-eyed predators.

The lunch marked the start of a scheduled five-day crocodile conservation and safety program, jointly organised by the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism and the U.S. Embassy in Brunei.

From left: Haji Dinnie Haji Mahdi, the Head of Wildlife Unit of the Forestry Department, Dr Steven G. Platt of the Wildlife Conservative Society

Led by Dr. Steven G. Platt of the Wildlife Conservation Society, the initiative aims to equip village leaders with tools to address crocodile encounters and improve ecological understanding.

This morning, the dialogue moved inland to Tutong, where the Crocodile Public Safety Briefing took place at the District Officer’s Residence, bringing together community members and officials.

The event is part of the U.S. Department of State’s Speaker Program, which facilitates global knowledge sharing in conservation, education, and civic engagement.

At the lunch in Bandar, the river wasn’t just scenery; it was a metaphor. The crocs were shy before. Now they come to the houses,' one kampong elder said over ambuyat.

That reality set the tone for Tutong. Villagers shared direct, practical experiences. They spoke of lost pets, blocked jetties, and schoolchildren rerouting to avoid crocodile haunts.

Crocodile complaints spiked from 68 in 2022 to 111 in 2023, mostly in Brunei-Muara. Experts link the rise to disturbed habitats, quiet rivers, garbage dumping, and reduced river traffic.

Dr. Platt addressed popular myths: crocodiles can live as long as humans, they don’t weaken with age, and they only stop when they lose all their teeth and can’t feed.

He emphasised that understanding crocodile behaviour is the first defence: avoiding known nesting zones, minimising splash and noise near riverbanks, and keeping waste far from waterlines.

When asked how to react to an attack, Platt advised: hit the croc with poles, target the eyes. 'Multiple people intervening often causes the crocodile to release its victim,' he noted.

The monsoon season worsens things. Waves push crocodiles inland, forcing them into calmer tributaries, right where humans gather, wash, fish, and occasionally let down their guard.

Officials highlighted the Wildlife Division’s Program Tangkap Buaya Bersama (PTBB), launched in 2023. It empowers Kampong Ayer residents to report sightings and monitor waters near their homes.

Don't be fooled by the smiles—these guys mean serious business... and soft toys.

From policy to plushies, the team behind Brunei’s crocodile safety program proves that heart, humour, and harmony go a long way in protecting communities and ecosystems.

However, community trust remains limited. 'Why do we hear about the crocodile only after someone dies?' one resident asked. 'Why not before?'

In 2024, nearly 200 crocodiles were captured and relocated. Residents say the issue lies not just with the crocodiles, but also with delayed planning, prevention, and outreach.

One village head said, 'We’re not asking for miracles, just to feel like someone cares before we end up on the news.' His words drew nods across the hall.

Among the solutions proposed: a national crocodile sighting database, school awareness programs, warning signs in danger zones, and joint kampong patrols with early-alert systems via mobile networks.

This week’s event follows up on the concerns aired in the earlier Kopi Talk with MHO column, Voices from the Riverbanks, which amplified public frustration from the ground up.

That article, framed by the haunting view of crocodiles gliding under PABO’s riverside deck, didn’t start the conversation, but it brought urgency and clarity to long-held grievances.

The Ministry now promotes a Whole-of-Nation approach, combining conservation science, grassroots cooperation, and policy alignment to protect lives and balance the ecology.

This Friday, the program will conclude with a roundtable at Universiti Brunei Darussalam, inviting young Bruneians, researchers, and officials to shape the next steps together.

As one kampong elder remarked at the end of the briefing, 'We’re not against crocodiles. We’re against being forgotten.'(MHO/04/2025)

“From the Kampong to the Policy Table - One Voice for Safer Rivers. Empowered by knowledge, connected by commitment. This is what the Whole-of-Nation Approach and collaboration look like.