North Cotabato crocodile released back to wild Friday

LARGEST FRESHWATER CROC “Malang,” a Philippine freshwater crocodile caught by fishermen in M’lang,North Cotabato province, is believed the largest of its kind in captivity. FILE PHOTO

NORTH COTABATO, Philippines — Malang, a 7.5-foot crocodile caught by a group of fishermen in Barangay (village) Dunguan here, will be returned to its natural habitat on May 2.

Mayor Joselito Piñol said the date of release was set after a visit by a team from the Palawan Wildlife Rescue Center last Tuesday to determine if the beast was  healthy enough to be released back to the Liguasan Marsh.

Piñol said the Palawan Wildlife team certified the crocodile was healthy.

Piñol said he would  issue an executive order declaring Malang the official symbol of the town. He said Malang’s photo would be embossed on all LGU letterheads and official letters in honor of the crocodiles in the Liguasan Marsh.

A concrete statue of Malang will also be erected in front of the municipal hall, to remind residents of the richness of the biodiversity of Liguasan marsh.

“This will also remind our people to protect Mlang rivers and their tributaries, and protect the flora and fauna of Liguasan,” the mayor said.

Earlier, the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) appealed to the local government of Mlang to immediately release the crocodile.

Piñol welcomed the suggestion and reiterated the local government had no intention of keeping Malang.

“It will be released back to the wild even without a reminder from PETA or an order from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources,” Piñol said.

Malang is a freshwater crocodile and belongs to a species considered critically endangered.

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