A three-metre long crocodile was caught in a special operation in the Permatang Senyum area in Kampung Ubai near here at about 3pm today.

Locals together with officers from the Pahang Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) mounted the operation after the reptile was spotted in the area.

One of the locals, Ahmad Kadri, 40, said a resident of the village had a close call with the animal while setting up bird traps in the area yesterday and alerted others.

"A group of us went to check and spotted it loitering by the side of an irrigation canal. It scooted off on seeing us and fearing for our safety, we immediately called up Perhilitan," he told reporters.

The crocodile was later released in an area where there were no inhabitants nearby.

-- BERNAMA