Two huge crocodiles were caught in search of a missing six-year-old girl in Malaysia.

The wild reptiles were captured in the Annap River, Tatau District area, Bintulu City, on September 27.

The search began when Cicilia Julan Intik is said to have been dragged away by a crocodile while bathing with her family in a river on Tuesday, September 18. Her distraught grandfather witnessed the crocodile strike but was unable to react in time.

Tatau Police Chief and Deputy Superintendent of Police Jame said stated that the two crocodiles measured 17.5ft and 17.39ft and weighed 1.2 and 1.3 tonnes.

The first crocodile was caught upstream, while the second was captured downstream. Officers were forced to paralyse both beasts using a rifle.

After being pulled to land, the crocs had their stomachs cut open. Officers discovered teeth, bone fragments, and coins inside the first crocodile.

The police chief said: 'We just found these objects. To find out whether they belong to the victim or not, further examination will be carried out.'

The crocodile hunting and examination operation was attended by the victim's family, the Tatau District Officer, the Investigation Officer (OCS Tatau), and members of the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) Bintulu.

During the operation, the search and capture team from SFC consisted of five members utilizing two boats, while five firefighters and PDRM personnel assisted in monitoring the snares (fishing lines) set with bait 5 kilometres upstream and downstream.

Crocodile attacks in Malaysia, especially in the states of Sarawak and Sabah, occur primarily in rivers and coastal areas where saltwater crocodiles are prevalent.

These attacks often involve fishermen, villagers, or tourists near crocodile habitats. Due to the rising human-wildlife conflict, the government has implemented awareness campaigns and occasional culling to manage the crocodile population and reduce attacks.