PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan (PNA) – Wildlife authorities in Palawan have caught a saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) measuring 15.6 feet in Balabac, days after a fisherman was attacked and killed by a crocodile last month.
Experts from the Palawan Wildlife Reserve and Rescue Center “extracted” the saltwater crocodile in Barangay Malaking Ilog at 2 p.m. Saturday.
Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Staff spokesperson Jovic Fabello said it weighs an estimated 500 kilos.
He said the crocodile will be brought to this city Monday where it will undergo a “gastrointestinal decontamination” procedure to see the content of its stomach.
“Hindi pa namin alam ang gender kasi kakahuli lang kanina at inayos pa ang paglalagakan niya doon. Pagdating dito sa Lunes, aalamin agad ‘yan kasi may health check din na gagawin sa kanya ,” he said.
The stomach flushing will be done to determine if it is the “problem crocodile” that attacked and killed 23-year old Balabac fisherman Cornelio Bonete.
Bonete’s decomposing body was found on the shores of Sitio Bual, Barangay Malaking Ilog late afternoon on Nov. 28. The victim’s right arm and left foot were missing.
Fabello said the PWRRC team led by Salvador Guion tried to transport the large reptile from the area but failed due to strong winds and waves.
“Pansamantala doon muna sa custody ng mga authorities doon. Hindi pa kasi maibyahe ang buwaya dahil sa malakas daw ang alon ngayon. Kailangan siyang ilayo sa mga tao, hindi maaaring i-expose sa tao kasi baka masaktan nila ito,” he said.
The crocodile will be in the custody of the PNP 2nd Special Operations Unit-Maritime Group under Senior Supt. Greg Togonon and the Coast Guard Substation (CGSS) in Balabac.
