April 7, 2010

I don't want to meet their cousins

The Philippine crocodile (Crocodylus mindorensis) is a relatively small freshwater crocodile found only in the Philippines and is named after the island of Mindoro in Luzon. The largest specimens do not grow longer than 3 meters (10 feet) and most are smaller. It is in the critically endangered list of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) though thankfully, several conservation societies have created captive breeding and releasing programs for it. These Philippine crocodiles are in the Agos (flow) section of the Manila Ocean Park.

Philippine crocodiles at the Manila Ocean Park

Pinoy Trivia: The Tagalog word for crocodile is buwaya, which is the most common term and image we use to depict corrupt law enforcers and politicians who prey on innocent people. Poor crocodiles.


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

40 comments:

Lowell said...

Somehow I have a problem looking upon crocodiles with much sympathy...I don't think they should be killed or become extinct, but they are ferocious creatures and like human meat - at least the ones in Africa do!

EG CameraGirl said...

Crocodiles are interesting...but not at all cuddly. :) But I guess corrupt law enforcers aren't either!

Gemma Wiseman said...

An interesting post! I did not know that these smaller crocodiles existed here! And great shots!

Anonymous said...

Am sure that those crocodiles will live much longer than those not taking care of the law.

Please have a wonderful Wednesday.

daily athens

Ebie said...

Hilda, buwaya is a very familiar word when I was growing up helping my papa tend our grocery. And we were conveniently located across from the "bee eye ar" building.

Photo Cache said...

I find them terrifying.

Hoped you had a wonderful Easter.

www.ewok1993.wordpress.com

Leif Hagen said...

All I can say is that I hope you didn't drop you purse or camera on the big rock!!

Mike Rose said...

Hilda, they look a bit similar to the freshwater crocs here. Also endangered.

I like the way the word is used for corrupt officials, something my adopted country knows all about.

Lina Gustina said...

Buwaya? Indonesian people call them buaya...
Great captures...

http://thehappyfamilies.blogspot.com/2010/04/bogor-katulampa-dam.html

Tammie Lee said...

scary little critters. We only have bears, mountain lions and deer around. fun photo.

My Life as A MOM said...

Hey Hilda,
Those are scary looking, LOL! I would not want to be near those things.
Thanks for the comment, and yes the kids are getting way too big, FAST! LOL!

Don and Krise said...

I really like the angle here Hilda. I thought the trivia was pretty interesting too. Completely different animal than they borrow the name from around here.

Verna Luga said...

a lot of their cousins are in Davao ... LOL!

Infinity

xinex said...

Great info! They look scary and do not really look too small....Christine

Tash said...

They look so cute & little...in the photo :)
Frightening kind of beasts, but what's more frightening is their near extinction. I'm so glad for the concervation groups.

January Zelene said...

Yep! I've seen their huge cousins at Davao Crocodile Farm.

If only they don't harm people.

Lindy said...

Great photo of the crocs. Thanks for sharing the background information, too.

Al said...

Hahaha you're so right Hilda, buwayas are so visible everywhere, the sosyals called them crocs.

Olivier said...

gentil gentil, pas envie d'aller faire une caresse ;o)) ils sont impressionnants et beaux...de loin

Kaori said...

I hope they return the favor to humans if I ever bump into one :)

JTG (Misalyn) said...

I find them cute :) Nung umuwi ako dami ko nakitang buwaya sa probinsya namin :) Aside from crocs, sosyals called them lacoste :)

Jim said...

I did not know there were crocs in teh Phillipines.

eileeninmd said...

I learned something new today, I did not know about these crocs. Great post and photos.

Momgen said...

Hehhehe interesting...happy WW!

NatureFootstep said...

great shot. This is teh kind of createures that I have some love/hate feelings toward. They are fascinating.

Hootin Anni said...

We have crocodiles roaming the roadways here sometimes. Great photo.

Here is my Watery Photo, hope to see you stop by to view. It's always great to have you visiting.

brattcat said...

excellent capture, hilda.

penny said...

I'm glad the Crocks are protected for future generations to see.
The Crooks may look the same but I hope they become extinct.
Nice analogy, Hilda.

Nefertiti said...

tres impressionnant !

Halcyon said...

I think all animals (including humans) have their place. Crocodiles don't bother me in particular. But I might think differently if one crossed my path and chased me down!

Lois said...

They look very well fed!

Louis la Vache said...

;-(
«Louis» doesn't do reptiles of ANY description...
so he doesn't want to meet either them or their relatives....

Ursel said...

Scary but fascinating animals. Too bad that they are on the "critically endangered list".

James said...

I don't mind seeing them in pictures but I wouldn't want to run into one of these creatures. :)

Chattahoochee Valley Daily said...

As far as crocs go, these are kinda cute. I wouldn't want to meet one in a dark alley tho.

Dina said...

Breeding and RELEASING programs?? Oi!

George said...

This is the first I've seen of Philippine crocodiles, although I've seen a few of their cousins in the wild. I would think the crocodiles would object to using the word 'buwaya' to describe corrupt public officials.

George said...

Since I hit the wrong 'comment' for the post below, I will say that I think this is a clever way to solve a problem.

escape said...

oh their cousins! hahaha... my nephew went to avilon zoon yesterday and talks about these this morning.

Gunn said...

Gosh, I guess I would like to have a safe distant...