Don’t grieve too much over Lolong.
Cebu has its own Lapu-Lapu, a 15-foot saltwater crocodile that is the main attraction of Crocolandia, a mini-zoo that has carried on a mission of teaching children and families about nature and wildlife since 2001.
The nature park in barangay Biasong, Talisay City, marked its 12th year recently with a day full of games and contests for young visitors with the theme : “Green Economy – Harmony Between Man and Nature. “
Lapu-Lapu the star of the zoo, came in the much awaited “Animal Encounter” at the end of the program.
Visitors got to pet, hold or carry the zoo’s yellow-and-white Albino Burme Python and baby saltwater crocodiles. Then children watched in awe as Lapu-Lapu stirred in his pen and opened his jaws to be fed a chicken dangling from a rod.
“Teaching the youth to sustain balance in the world they live in is an important legacy that they will surely benefit from,” said Nellie Chiu, president of Crocolandia Foundation Inc., in her welcome address.
Crocolandia has gardens, fishponds, pens for a variety of birds, mammals and reptiles, a souvenir shop, and a playground. It’s a place to take children for a day out for fun and learning about wildlife and biodiversity. The park was founded by the Crocolandia Foundation Inc., a former fishpond of the family that evolved from a menagerie of pets to a wildlife zoo.
A modest entrance fee is charged with discounts for children 11 years old and groups.
The zoo’s most famous resident, Lapu-Lapu, gained more importance after the death last month of Lolong, the world’s biggest reptile in captivity, kept in Bunawagan town, Agusan del Sur in Mindanao. Lolong, who measured 20.4 feet, died of pneumonia.
As part of Crocolandia’s anniversary day, International microbiologist Dr. Manuel Garcia gave an audio-visual presentation about the Green Economy and how to sustain ecosystems amid pressures of urban progress.
In the speech contest “I Am and I Matter”, pre-schooler children wore costumes of different wildlife and acted out different endemic animals.
They were asked to choose from among the endemic animals found in Crocolandia and talk about facts regarding the animal, such as its scientific name, characteristics, habitat, etc.