The preliminary survey of estuarine crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) in Setiu Wetland

Abstract

There are two species of crocodile inhabit the Setiu River, the Crocodylus porosus ( estuarine crocodile) at the estuarine of Setiu River and the Tomistoma schlelegii (false gharial) at up stream of Setiu River. The preliminary survey of estuarine crocodile in Setiu Wetland has done on 2006 and 2007. The survey has covered 27.3 km in length of main Setiu River, Merang River, Bukit Putera River, Bari River and Chalok River. The mean index densities of crocodile for 6 nocturnal spotlight survey in Setiu Wetland were 0.08 number of crocodiles observed/ 24.7 km distance traveled for each survey with 13 individuals sighted. For the nest survey, 5 hatched nests were found, three the recently hatched nests and two other the past hatched nests. Mean distance of nests from river banks for all nest was 3.84 m, mean for longest base axis for recently nests was 1.87 m, shortest base axis was 1.64 m, diameter of nest opening was 0.38 m, nest opening depth was 0.19 m from nest surface and height of nest was 0.36 m. While mean longest base axis for past hatched nests was 1.26 m, shortest base axis was 1.0 m, there were no diameter and depth of nest holes record, and mean for height of nest was 0.1 m.