Meet Robin Lee, the 'official' trapper of stray reptiles
By
Ang Yiying
Mr Lee, who grew up handling crocodiles on his father's farm, says he has a healthy respect for the fierce reptiles. -- TERENCE TAN/THE STRAITS TIMES
MEET Singapore's crocodile hunter, Mr Robin Lee, 33. On normal days, he manages Long Kuan Hung Crocodile Farm in Kranji, which was started by his father.
But when the alert for a wild crocodile sighting is sounded, he goes into stakeout mode and moves in to trap the reptile.
If not a threat, don't trap, most locals say
SINGAPORE has at least two 'permanent resident' crocodiles, which make their home in the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve.
The National Parks Board (NParks) has confirmed identifying these crocodiles, which are usually spotted in the water or mudflats, out of reach of visitors.
He has caught two of these reptiles since 2000, the bigger one measuring 3.2m and the other, 2.5m. Both females, they are are now among the 8,500 'residents' at his farm.
He told The Straits Times that he is on standby, following the recent sighting of a metre-long specimen in the waters of Sungei Tampines near Paris Ris beach.
The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority confirmed that Mr Lee is the one agencies turn to for help in catching crocodiles. Mr Lee said of his mission: 'I just try to remove the animal from the public because I have the experience. I don't want accidents to happen.'
Having practically grown up with saltwater crocodiles, he has a healthy respect for these largest of living reptiles, which can hit lengths of 8m in the wild.
He first met them as a child, when he used to feed them on his father's farm. By the age of 16, he was collecting eggs from the nests of the farmed crocodiles.
'I don't feel scared at all. You get used to them,' he said.
When he turned 20, he started working full-time with his father on the farm, which breeds the reptiles for their skins and meat.
An only son, with two older sisters not involved in the family business, Mr Lee made crocodiles his career in 1993, just when his parents were deciding on relocating the farm from Seletar East to its present Kranji site.
How did he, as a crocodile farmer, come to take on a hunter's role?
Mr Lee would rather not say too much about how the authorities first approached him, some time in the last decade.
He explained that he launches a hunt only after collecting enough information on sightings, so he can be sure that a particular reptile has indeed moved into a particular location.
The hunt that ended with the capture of the 3.2m specimen was captured on film by photography enthusiast Jeffery Teo, 37. The pair declined to have the pictures from that encounter published.
Mr Lee recalled that the crocodile was still, submerged in the water near the edge of a pond. He slipped a rope into the water and looped it around its neck.
He also used 'equipment' which he is secretive about. The contraption was designed by his now-69-year-old father. He said: 'In roping and with the equipment, there is no direct contact. You don't need to jump on the crocodile.'
But the job requires full concentration and cold-blooded instinct honed by experience in dealing with these beasts.
'I know how to handle crocodiles. I have been handling them my whole life.'
But he added: 'The moment you lose respect for them, accidents will happen.'
He said he has never been bitten, but to this day, even after close to 20 years with them, his heart rate speeds up when he collects eggs at the farm.
'Females are most ferocious after nesting. They charge at you to kill you.'
The eggs go into incubators for about 82 days. When the nestlings hatch, he helps some of the babies to emerge by cracking the shells.
Mr Lee, who is married and father to a 21/2-year-old son, said he does not expect the boy to share his passion.
'I made the commitment and it's something I will fulfil. My passion is there.'
