Introduction of 36 Philippine Crocodiles (Crocodylus mindorensis) in the Paghungawan Marsh, Pilar, Surigao Del Norte.

1. Philippine Crocodile Release Program
An Update on the Status of the Introduced Philippine
Crocodiles (Crocodylus mindorensis) in Paghungawan
Marsh, Siargao Island Protected Landscapes and
Seascapes, Pilar, Surigao Del Norte, Philippines
Rainier I. Manalo, MSc., DESMan
Program Head
Crocodile Research and Conservation
Crocodylus Porosus Philippines Inc.
Seascapes, Pilar, Surigao Del Norte, Philippines

2. RP-Japan Crocodile Farming Institute
Philippine Government
Special Project
Created on August 1987
as a joint project between the
DENR and JICA.
To conserve the two endangered species
of crocodiles in the Philippines.
DENR and JICA.

3. a duly registered non-stock, non-profit , and a non-
government organization of six (6) legitimate crocodile farmers
in the Philippines. CPPI aims for the sustainable resource use
and management or value-driven conservation of the two
crocodile species in the Philippines.

4. Support for
conservation

5. This project started in
2006 with 12 adult
breeding (M=4; F=8)
C. mindorensis
• PWRCC (N=10)• PWRCC (N=10)
• Silliman University
(N=2)

6. Nine clutches from five breeding femalesNine clutches from five breeding females
were recorded from April 2009 to July 2012were recorded from April 2009 to July 2012

7. Actual Release March 22, 2013

9. Goal 1: Ecosystem resiliency
Establish a protected wild population
Goal 2: Knowledge development
Enhance current knowledge on the biology andEnhance current knowledge on the biology and
ecology
Goal 3: Poverty alleviation
Contribute to the nature tourism industry

10. STUDY SITE
Siargao Island Protected Landscapes
and Seascapes
Presidential Proclamation
No. 902, 1996
Estimated AreaEstimated Area
120 ha (dry season)120 ha (dry season)
604 ha. (wet season)604 ha. (wet season)

11. Cheesewood tree Nauclea orientalis
and some herbaceous species like Hypolytrum nemorum.

12. • Quarterly monitoring (June 2013 –
March 2015)
• Standard night spotlighting 1900H-
2300H
Bio-physical Monitoring
2300H
• Direct spot count
• Age/class verification
• Community interviews

13. PreyPrey--fish species abundancefish species abundance
• Annual fishery assessment (June 2013
& October 2014)
• CPUE using gillnetsCPUE using gillnets
• Fish composition

14. Approach to sustainable livelihoodApproach to sustainable livelihood
• Local P.O was organized among the residents of
Barangay Jaboy.
• Enhance the capacity of local players in sustainable
resource utilizationresource utilization
• protection of Paghungawan Marsh
• conservation of the introduced PH Crocodiles.
• Coordination with SIPLAS stakeholders to support
Community-Based Sustainable Tourism (CBST).

15. • 36 (15♂; 21♀) juvenile Philippine Crocodiles
• Mean: 76.83 cm. TL and1,315 g. BW
RESULTS
MONTHS
NO. OF
SIGHTINGS
SIZE CLASS
July 2013 26 JuvenilesJuly 2013 26 Juveniles
November 2013 11 Juveniles
February 2014 15 Juveniles
May 2014 3 Juveniles
July 2-14 11
Juveniles
/ Sub-adults
November 2014 7 Sub-adults
January 2015 8 Sub-adults
March 2015 6 Sub-adults
Mean 11

16. 3636
Philippine CrocodilesPhilippine Crocodiles
release for conservationrelease for conservation 44
Reported &Reported &
confirmed deathsconfirmed deaths
11111111
Average quarterlyAverage quarterly
actual sightingsactual sightings1717
Estimated total populationEstimated total population
based on Grahambased on Graham (1988) 63%(1988) 63%
sightings probabilitysightings probability

17. February 2014February 2014
April 2015April 2015
138.5 cm. TL &
9,900g. BW
Average growth increment
from March 2013 – April
2015
0.084 cm/day0.084 cm/day
11.76 g./day11.76 g./day
Mean growth rate withinMean growth rate within
24 months of release.24 months of release.

18. Community development
Close Encounter with Philippine CrocodileClose Encounter with Philippine Crocodile

19. Marshland Adventure Day Tour (3-5PM)
Php. 300.00/boat trip
BoatBoat capacitycapacity:: 33 guestsguests andand 11 boatmanboatman

20. Crocodile Night Watching (7Crocodile Night Watching (7--11 PM)11 PM)
PhpPhp. 400.00/boat trip. 400.00/boat trip
Boat CapacityBoat Capacity –– 2 guests, 1 boatman and 1 spotter/tour guide.2 guests, 1 boatman and 1 spotter/tour guide.

23. ConclusionsConclusions
• demonstrated its suitability for the Crocodylus
mindorensis with high survival & growth rate
(24 mos.)
• more dispersed crocodile population and
increasing wariness.increasing wariness.
• community active participation in crocodile
monitoring have led to a sustainable
management of their wetland resources.

24. ConclusionsConclusions
•• CBST is inCBST is in--placed with selfplaced with self--sustainingsustaining
mechanismsmechanisms
•• Partially successful outcomePartially successful outcome
•• Successful PH Crocodile release program in 3Successful PH Crocodile release program in 3
decades of conservation works.decades of conservation works.decades of conservation works.decades of conservation works.

25. ... needs to be done... needs to be done
•• Enhancement release to support the growingEnhancement release to support the growing
population;population;
•• Boundaries delineate & demarcate;Boundaries delineate & demarcate;
•• CommunityCommunity--based biophysical monitoring bebased biophysical monitoring be
strengthened;strengthened;strengthened;strengthened;
•• Institutionalized IEC plan;Institutionalized IEC plan;
•• Strengthening the communityStrengthening the community--based monitoringbased monitoring
team; andteam; and
•• Encourage local stakeholders to participate inEncourage local stakeholders to participate in
decision making process.decision making process.

26. A new hope for Philippine Crocodile...