The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) safely rescued a 15-year-old female saltwater crocodile (๐๐ณ๐ฐ๐ค๐ฐ๐ฅ๐บ๐ญ๐ถ๐ด ๐ฑ๐ฐ๐ณ๐ฐ๐ด๐ถ๐ด) after a concerned citizen reported its presence in Barangay San Agustin, Magalang, Pampanga.
Acting on the report, the Wildlife and Water Resources Management Section and the Forest Protection, Surveillance and Intelligence Section of the DENR provincial office in Pampanga, in coordination with the barangay officials of San Agustin, immediately conducted a rescue operation to safely secure the crocodile.
Roger Encarnacion, provincial head of DENR in Pampanga, reported that the crocodile measured approximately 3.10 meters in length and was found to be in good condition following an assessment.
โTo ensure the safety of both the animal and the public, the rescued crocodile was transported and turned over to the Global Zoo and Theme Park Alliance Inc., an accredited wildlife rescue center located inside the Clark Freeport Zone,โ Encarnacion said.
He added that the facility will provide the crocodile with veterinary assessment, proper care, and rehabilitation in accordance with established wildlife conservation standards.
DENR Regional Executive Director Ralph Pablo said the successful rescue underscores the importance of public vigilance and community participation in wildlife conservation.
โThe responsible action of the concerned citizen allowed our personnel to respond promptly and ensure the safe rescue of the crocodile. This incident highlights how cooperation between the public, local government units, and the DENR contributes to protecting both wildlife and communities,โ Pablo said.
He reminded the public that wild animals should never be captured, harmed, or kept as pets, emphasizing that trained personnel are equipped to respond safely to wildlife encounters.
โWe encourage everyone to immediately report sightings of wild animals to the nearest DENR office or local government authorities. Timely reporting enables us to take the appropriate action while ensuring the safety of both the public and the wildlife,โ Pablo added.
Although listed as a species of Least Concern under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, the saltwater crocodile remains protected under Republic Act No. 9147, or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, which promotes the conservation and protection of the countryโs native wildlife species and their habitats.
