Authorities in Malaysia have discovered human remains inside a massive 18-foot-long crocodile, which is believed to have killed a young girl in the region of Sungai Tatau, Sarawak. The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community, as the reptile dragged six-year-old Cecelia Julan Intik underwater while she was swimming with her family on September 25, 2024.
Cecelia’s sister and grandfather could only watch in horror as the enormous predator pulled her into the river. Despite their attempts to intervene, the crocodile was too strong and swift, making rescue impossible.
Following the attack, the Sarawak Forestry Corporation launched an immediate search operation. Over the next few days, two large crocodiles, measuring 17 and 18 feet in length, were captured. The crocodiles were two of the largest ever captured in the area, requiring a tugboat and a crane to haul them ashore.
Wildlife experts performed an autopsy on the reptiles and discovered human remains in the stomach of the larger crocodile. According to a report from the Daily Mail, teeth, bones, and coins were found inside the stomach of one of the crocodiles. The human remains are believed to belong to Cecelia. They were sent to the forensic labs at Malaysia’s Department of Chemistry for analysis.
Local authorities are urging residents to exercise extreme caution when near bodies of water known to be inhabited by crocodiles. Sarawak, known for its dense forests and rich biodiversity, has recently seen its share of crocodile attacks. The frequency of these incidents has increased, raising concerns over the region’s growing population of saltwater crocodiles. Despite their name, these reptiles often venture into freshwater rivers and lakes in search of prey.
In a related incident in Indonesia, a 54-year-old woman, Halima Rahakbauw, suffered a similar fate after being attacked by a crocodile while swimming in a river. The attack took place in August, and like Cecelia’s case, human remains were found inside the reptile following its capture. According to local news reports, the crocodile was seen devouring the woman’s body before authorities arrived and shot it dead.
These incidents highlight the deadly threat posed by large crocodiles in regions where people often live in close proximity to these predators.