KUALA LUMPUR - Who would have thought that crocodiles, often feared as ferocious predators, could appear as gentle as doves when cuddled and rocked to sleep in their keeper's arms, much like a baby?
This is the story of two crocodiles, aged two years and five months, whose antics recently went viral on social media. The two reptiles, named Ali and Acong, were seen being gently cuddled and soothed to sleep by their keeper, revealing a different side to the often-feared creatures.
99 Wonderland Park (Wildlife In The City) Zoology Manager Mohd Rizal Manoor said the two crocodiles were offspring of a breeding pair, Goldie (female) and Lipis (male), and had been cared for at the park since hatching.
He said Ali and Acong were two of about 30 eggs laid by Goldie, with the pair being the only ones to hatch naturally without the use of an incubator.
"Goldie was laying eggs for the first time, so she had yet to learn how to arrange them properly. Of the approximately 30 eggs, only two hatched because they received the right temperature,” he told Bernama at the urban wildlife and recreational park in Selayang yesterday.
Rizal, who has 18 years of experience handling various types of reptiles, said both crocodiles had been accustomed to human presence, including learning to respond to their respective names. They had also undergone gradual training to help their keeper understand their behaviour.
"When I enter their enclosure, I call out Ali and Acong. I have accustomed them to hearing their names because crocodiles can hear too. At the same time, I try other things, such as rocking them to sleep and encouraging them to make sounds,” he said.
However, he said Ali and Acong had distinct personalities despite having the same parents.
"Ali is easier to handle because he is calmer, while Acong is somewhat aggressive, especially when he feels uncomfortable.
"They can be distinguished by the black spots on the back of their necks. Ali has four large spots, while Acong has two large spots and two smaller ones. Ali also prefers basking in the sun, whereas Acong likes to soak in the water,” he said.
On their care routine, Rizal said the two crocodiles were fed twice a week, compared with adult crocodiles, which were fed only once a week due to their slower digestive process.
"When they were small, I fed them shrimp, crickets, fish and chopped chicken. Now they can eat chicks. Initially, I hand-fed them, but as they grew bigger, I let them find their own food,” he said.
Having sustained several hand injuries from reptile bites, Mohd Rizal said he also drew on his experience handling various reptiles to educate visitors about animal behaviour and safety measures through demonstration sessions at the park.
"When we merely talk about it, people may not understand. But when they see the animals right in front of them, they can better understand their behaviour.
"Visitors are also advised not to shout at or tease the animals, as this could startle them and cause them to become aggressive,” he said.
Mohd Rizal, who previously worked at the Melaka Crocodile Park and Melaka Butterfly and Reptile Sanctuary, is also responsible for managing and supervising various other animals, including venomous snakes, lemurs, capybaras, raccoons and ostriches at the nine-hectare park.
"If you want to work with animals, you need courage and a genuine passion for them. Interest alone is not enough, because without strong passion, it is difficult to remain in this field,” he said. - BERNAMA