Crocodile trapped in Eastern Samar town fish cage, rescued and turned over to DENR

Fishermen carry a crocodile found in the sea of Quinapondan town, Eastern Samar on Sunday, July 9, 2023. (PHOTO COURTESY OF USWAG QUINAPONDAN)

TACLOBAN CITY — A saltwater crocodile was discovered by a fisherman in Quinapondan town, Eastern Samar on Sunday, July 9.

The reptile, measuring 1.28 meters and weighing 50 kilograms, was discovered by Alfred Abejo inside a fish cage in Barangay Palactad, a coastal village seven kilometers away from the town proper.

Felix John Bianes, the municipal environment and resources officer, said the fisherman found it inside his fish cage at about 7 a.m.

At first, Abejo thought that what was inside his fish cage was just a big lizard. However, when he got a closer look at it, he found a crocodile.

With the help of other fishermen, they were able to tie its body and mouth using a rope.

The villagers immediately reported their discovery of the crocodile to the municipal government.

“This is the first time that a crocodile was found in Quinapondan,” Bianes said in an interview.

The reptile was turned over to the regional office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources based in Tacloban City.

Bianes could not say yet if the crocodile came from the river located in the village.

He asked the residents, particularly those from Palactad, to immediately report to their office once they see other crocodiles in their area.

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