The Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Staff (PCSDS)- Wildlife Species and Habitat Management Section, and PCSDS Wildlife Enforcement Section, together with the Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center (PWRCC), seized one 14.8-foot male Saltwater Crocodile (𝘊𝘳𝘰𝘤𝘰𝘥𝘺𝘭𝘶𝘴 𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘶𝘴) in Sumpaka River, Barangay Pulot Shore, Sofronio Española, Palawan on November 14, 2021.
The aforementioned crocodile extraction took place after Pulot shore officials informed the PCSDS of the crocodile’s presence in their area, which caused fear among residents, sometime in August of this year. Following an IEC in Sofronio Española, the PCSDS together with the PWRCC staff validated the river and its tributaries. It was later confirmed that a crocodile is commonly sighted along the river and it usually lounges on the riverbank.
The saltwater crocodile, which was initially agreed to be named “Corona pulot shore,” met the extraction procedure requirements because it is frequently sighted in close proximity to the barangay proper of Pulot Shore and its population, is seen outside of the egg-laying season, and is longer than 10 feet in length. To avoid any untoward incident in the Sitio Sumpaka community, the PCSDS and PWRCC team decided to proceed with the extraction procedure and went to the area to trap the crocodile on November 9, 2021.
The Saltwater Crocodile, listed as a “Critically Endangered Species” under PCSD Resolution No. 15-521, will be transported to the PWRCC for its management and safekeeping.
The PCSDS urges persons who happen to find or rescue wildlife to turn them over to our office, which can be contacted thru hotline numbers 0935-116-2336 (Globe/TM) and 0948-937-2200 (Smart/TNT). You may also send a message to our Facebook page for your other concerns.