October 14, 2009

Can you see it?

The Philippine crocodile (Crocodylus mindorensis) is a relatively small freshwater crocodile found only in the Philippines. It doesn't grow more than 3 meters (about 10 feet) in length and is found mostly in the northern part of the country. In fact, it is named after the island of Mindoro in Luzon. Unfortunately, it is in the critically endangered list of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), originally because of commercial exploitation but now because of human encroachment on its preferred habitats and also because of bad fishing methods. As of August 2009, the IUCN reports that the total population surviving in the wild is estimated at only 100 mature individuals. Thankfully, several conservation societies have created captive breeding and releasing programs for it. Together with awareness and education campaigns for local communities, the programs might just succeed in bringing it back to healthy population levels. The Manila Ocean Park has several Philippine crocodiles in its Agos (Flow) section, where I (barely) saw this one enjoying a quiet moment under the rainforest waterfall.

Philippine crocodile at the Manila Ocean Park

Natural or man-made, take a refreshing dip in Watery Wednesday.
Watery Wednesday

31 comments:

Lowell said...

I agree they should be saved from extinction...

But I don't like alligators and I really don't like crocodiles...

We have the latter in Florida, too, fresh water ones, but they're still very dangerous!

VP said...

No, thank you, I won't take a refreshing dip in this Watery Wednesday...

marley said...

Great snap! (sorry but you know I love a pun!)

Stefan Jansson said...

Yikes, I have had some weird nightmares in my life. Often about crocodiles for some reason and I'm off to bed now...

Lois said...

10 feet sounds huge to me! That's a great picture Hilda. We have alligators around here and they used to be endangered, but now they are everywhere and can sometimes be a nuisance. Not far from where I live, someone walked outside to go to work one morning and found one under their car!

James said...

Oh yes I see it. Very cool shot with the waterfall and the Philippine crocodile. I had never heard of the Philippine crocodile before.

Ursel said...

I'm glad that there's a program to preserve them. I find them very fascinating animals but also one of the most scary ones too. As long as I don't have to share any water with them, I'm glad.

Ebie said...

I see it! I am glad they have saving the endangered species from extinction!

Anonymous said...

Run! Run!I'm glad gators and crocks don't come close to the ponds where I live :)

GreensboroDailyPhoto said...

Gators always look so prehistoric! Great photo for watery Wednesday!

Anonymous said...

I see it & any croc is a big one to me! Love the waterfall tho

Momgen said...

Oh am scared of gators...Happy watery Wednesday.

Mine is here

Eki said...

it looks big in the picture! i hope it'll survive for our children's children to see.

Unknown said...

we don't have crocodiles as pets and i'm not a big fan, but i believe they also have the right to live.:P

BLS said...

I can see him great to see such a rare species and to hear of the effort going into conservation.

Magdalena said...

I do not think I want to swim there but you have been fortunate enough to have shoot a crocodile I'm a bit jealous of you.

Olivier said...

c'est vraiment très impressionnant et très violent

Marie said...

Yes i see it! That´s a big one :-)

Halcyon said...

We have alligators here. I think 3 meters is pretty big already! I've never seen any that big around here.

Lachezar said...

Oh yes I can spot it! and your photograph is amazing! It is actually a perfect Post and photograph for tomorrow's Blog Action Day: http://www.blogactionday.org/ on climate change. Check it out!
Thanks too for visiting and your kind comment. Cheers!

Reena said...

i saw him! hehehe..

hey, congrats pala for having been nominated sa blog awards. :D

Jim Klenke said...

3 meters is small? I would hate to see the big ones.

Arija said...

I can do without crocs but I like the structure of your photo.

B SQUARED said...

10 feet is small? Wow!

Regina said...

Great shot Hilda!

Unknown said...

Must have same the same croc at the Avilon zoo. Great shot.

penny said...

Hi Hilda,
How lucky you are to have captured this wonderful shot of the alligator passing under the waterfall.
Glade to hear they are doing well.

Sachin said...

I think they have come a long way. they ll survive.. :)

Frank said...

I can remember young, college aged guys who thought raising an alligator in their dorm bathtub was pet was a good idea...of course, that didn't last too long. Even small like the crocodile, they are very dangerous critters and demand respect. Very neat post Hilda.

Cezar and Léia said...

Yes, a big one, great shot dear Hilda!
Léia

escape said...

last time i went there, those crocodiles werent there yet. great add.