In Palawan, large croc dies in captivity

TRAPPED This 4.54-meter long (14.9 feet) saltwater crocodile has generated fear among residents of Bataraza, Palawan, prompting them to trap it on Thursday morning near an area where
fishers catch octopus. The crocodile died later, likely from drowning. —PHOTO COURTESY OF BATARAZA MDRRMO

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY—A 4.54-meter (14.9 feet) long saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) died of suspected drowning after residents captured it in the waters off Bataraza town in Palawan province on Thursday morning.

Jovic Fabello, spokesperson for the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Staff (PCSDS), said residents of Barangay Inogbong decided to trap the crocodile out of fear when they saw it swimming in an area, about a kilometer away from the shore, where they were catching octopus.

“The problem was the trap used by residents was not like the ones used by our experts at the crocodile farm. The crocodile, after it was caught, was not immediately restrained to close its mouth,” Fabello said in a phone interview.The Bataraza public information office said the crocodile was caught in the waters off Sitio Gunob around 8 a.m.

When the field staff from PCSDS arrived with barangay officials at 10 a.m., the crocodile was already dead, said Fabello.

“What happened there, however, was after catching the crocodile, they (residents) just dragged it using a boat going to the shore and it was at this point that [it likely] drowned,” he added.Skinny, sickly

Fabello said that upon initial inspection, the PCSDS staff noted that the crocodile appeared skinny and sickly, with some seashells sticking on its body.

A team led by PCSDS veterinarian Glenn Rebong would go to Bataraza on Friday to conduct necropsy on the crocodile to determine the cause of its death and its sex.

This type of crocodile has been classified as “least concern” on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List since 1996.In January, a 4.57-meter (15 feet) long crocodile was captured by residents at Barangay Sumbiling also in Bataraza. The crocodile, however, died later due to bullet wounds.

In April, a 2.07-meter long crocodile (6.8 feet) also drowned while trapped in a fishpen in Aborlan town. A month later, a 1.67-meter (5.5 feet) long crocodile was rescued in Puerto Princesa City after it was trapped in another fishpen.

—GERALDFORD TICKE

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