MikeLigalig.com

The CSG is holding its 21st Working Meeting in the country with the theme “Crocodilians in a Changing World.”

This is the first time that the Philippines is hosting the event that the Crocodylus Porosus Philippines, Inc., National Museum and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources have organized.

Of the 23 living crocodile species in the world under the order crocodylia, 11 are listed as threatened species in the International Union for the Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species.

The Philippine crocodile is considered to be “critically endangered,” and if nothing is done to change the situation, it could become extinct in 20 years.

Lim said communities should be informed that instead of senselessly killing crocodiles, it would be better to capitalize on their value.

Crocodiles are an indicator of a healthy ecosystem because fish proliferate where crocodiles are present, she added. Lim said crocodiles provide “healthy nutrient cycling.”

“Recognize their sanctuaries or where they lay their eggs,” she said. “Do not go there because most likely, the female crocodiles are also there. It is important that the people know their biology so we would know when we should avoid them.”

Webb said the state of crocodiles in the Philippines is not very good because of the big human population and limited land area.

“You (also) can’t have wildlife in abundance and people in poverty,” Webb said. “So you have to strike a balance. It is hard to make crocodile conservation in the Philippines.”

Webb said the various crocodile farming and conservation groups are doing their share in increasing their numbers.

“You just have to be very careful, very innovative and very strategic such as generating a tourist industry based on crocodiles,” he said.

“You have to change the crocodiles from a debit to an asset. You have to apply different strategy in different places. You cannot just use one strategy to fix it all.”

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=50830.0

Mabuwaya Foundation director Merlijn van Weerd recalled that Lacoste is committed to help finance the reward system and entice communities to beef up the crocodile conservation program – which started last year – for five years.

They are also receiving financial assistance from some zoos all over the world. Lacoste is only one of their benefactors.

Van Weerd said the Mabuwaya Foundation works with the local community on how to deal with the crocodiles that do not live in a farm, but stay in the wild.

“What we do with the Lacoste program is that we give rewards to communities that actually conserve the program,” he said.

”They receive P1,000 per crocodile per year. They use the money to develop their barangays. These are among the poorest of the villages.”

The additional income is helpful to a barangay, Van Weerd said.

During the Lacoste visit, they handed over a certificate worth P42,500 to a village.

Van Weerd said residents would not only protect the Philippine crocodiles but also the wetlands.

“So indirectly, they profit from the crocodiles,” he said

Van Weerd, a volunteer designated director of Mabuwaya Foundation, is a biologist from the Netherlands. He has been in the country since 1999.

In Luzon, it is only in Isabela where the Philippine crocodile can be found, Van Weerd said. (Philstar News Service, www.philstar.com)

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=50830.0

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=50830.0

for biodiversity's sake, crocodiles must indeed be saved from extinction.  but please, intawon, itoy ug iring nga buhi man ang ipakaon sa ubang nagbuhi.  what's this?  sacrificing the many for the sake of the few?  how can one dare save crocodiles while exercising animal cruelty?  don't let them feed live puppies and cats to crocodiles, please!

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=50830.0

Pwede in group of eight kada tuwa? 



Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=50830.0

Ma intimidated si Tito Sotto kung sa iya mongisi na ang buaya with a little quip, "Bantay ka unya..." 



Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=50830.0