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., DESManProgram HeadCrocodile Research and ConservationCrocodylus Porosus Philippines Inc.

Seascapes, Pilar, Surigao Del Norte, Philippines

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.

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.

Support for conservation

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)

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

Actual Release March 22, 2013

Goal 1: Ecosystem resiliency

Establish a protected wild population

Goal 2: Knowledge development

Enhance current knowledge on the biology and Enhance current knowledge on the biology and ecology

Goal 3: Poverty alleviation

Contribute to the nature tourism industry

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)

Cheesewood tree Nauclea orientalisand some herbaceous species like Hypolytrum nemorum.

• Quarterly monitoring (June 2013 –March 2015)

• Standard night spotlighting 1900H-2300H

Bio-physical Monitoring

2300H

• Direct spot count

• Age/class verification

• Community interviews

PreyPrey--fish species abundancefish species abundance

• Annual fishery assessment (June 2013 & October 2014)

• CPUE using gillnetsCPUE using gillnets

• Fish composition

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 utilization resource utilization

• protection of Paghungawan Marsh• conservation of the introduced PH Crocodiles.

• Coordination with SIPLAS stakeholders to support Community-Based Sustainable Tourism (CBST).

• 36 (15♂; 21♀) juvenile Philippine Crocodiles

• Mean: 76.83 cm. TL and1,315 g. BW

RESULTS

MONTHSNO. OF

SIGHTINGSSIZE CLASS

July 2013 26 JuvenilesJuly 2013 26 Juveniles

November 2013 11 Juveniles

February 2014 15 Juveniles

May 2014 3 Juveniles

July 2-14 11Juveniles

/ Sub-adults

November 2014 7 Sub-adults

January 2015 8 Sub-adults

March 2015 6 Sub-adults

Mean 11

3636Philippine Crocodiles Philippine Crocodiles

release for conservationrelease for conservation 44Reported & Reported &

confirmed deathsconfirmed deaths

11111111Average quarterly Average quarterly

actual sightingsactual sightings1717Estimated total population Estimated total population

based on Grahambased on Graham (1988) 63% (1988) 63% sightings probabilitysightings probability

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/day11.76 g./day 11.76 g./day

Mean growth rate within Mean growth rate within 24 months of release. 24 months of release.

Community development

Close Encounter with Philippine CrocodileClose Encounter with Philippine Crocodile

Marshland Adventure Day Tour (3-5PM)Php. 300.00/boat trip

BoatBoat capacitycapacity:: 33 guestsguests andand 11 boatmanboatman

Crocodile Night Watching (7Crocodile Night Watching (7--11 PM) 11 PM) PhpPhp. 400.00/boat trip. 400.00/boat trip

Boat Capacity Boat Capacity –– 2 guests, 1 boatman and 1 spotter/tour guide. 2 guests, 1 boatman and 1 spotter/tour guide.

ConclusionsConclusions

• demonstrated its suitability for the Crocodylusmindorensis 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.

ConclusionsConclusions

•• CBST is inCBST is in--placed with selfplaced with self--sustaining sustaining mechanismsmechanisms

•• Partially successful outcomePartially successful outcome

•• Successful PH Crocodile release program in 3 Successful PH Crocodile release program in 3 decades of conservation works.decades of conservation works.decades of conservation works.decades of conservation works.

... needs to be done... needs to be done

•• Enhancement release to support the growing Enhancement release to support the growing population;population;

•• Boundaries delineate & demarcate;Boundaries delineate & demarcate;

•• CommunityCommunity--based biophysical monitoring be based biophysical monitoring be strengthened;strengthened;strengthened;strengthened;

•• Institutionalized IEC plan;Institutionalized IEC plan;

•• Strengthening the communityStrengthening the community--based monitoring based monitoring team; and team; and

•• Encourage local stakeholders to participate in Encourage local stakeholders to participate in decision making process. decision making process.

A new hope for Philippine Crocodile...