The reportedly 21-foot saltwater crocodile suspected to have eaten a missing fisherman and several carabaos has been a top story on Google News for the past several days, with media outlets around the world fixated on its size and fearsome reputation.
The Guinness Book of World Records lists a 17.97-foot-long (5.48-meter-long), saltwater crocodile captured in Australia as the largest in captivity.
The Agusan crocodile's captors' claim of 21 feet for their catch, however, was greeted by skepticism by international experts.
"I'd be surprised if it was truly six meters," herpetologist Brady Barr told National Geographic News, adding that an expert would need to verify its true length.
National wildlife authorities in the Philippines are still expected to submit official findings, but have already told the media that the crocodile is easily the largest ever captured in the Philippines.
International scientists have expressed a pleasant surprise that the crocodile was not killed. Instead, it was captured alive at the risk of injury to the team that hunted it down in Bunawan town by laying chicken, pork and dog meat as bait in its known lairs.
Professional crocodile trappers from the Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center were brought in to track it down.
Bunawan Mayor Edwin Elorde said local officials had decided against killing the creature and plan to build an eco-tourism park where it will be the star attraction.
Mate still on the loose
The capture of the 21-foot crocodile has prompted Agusan del Sur officials to take on anactive search for more crocodiles in the province’s marshes, GMA News’ “Unang Balita" newscast said Tuesday.
Mayor Elorde said local officials are implementing “entrapment operations" with the belief that more large crocodiles inhabit the Agusan Marsh.
Local officials are especially on the lookout for a possible mate of the giant crocodile in the wild, “24 Oras" reported.Habitat destruction
The destruction of their natural habitats and the encroachment of human communities lead crocodiles to attack people, an expert told GMA News’ “24 Oras" newscast Tuesday.
In Agusan del Sur and Palawan, where crocodile attacks have also recently taken placethis year, humans have built settlements along rivers which have long harbored crocodiles.
“‘Pag naubusan po ng pagkain sa wild, sa kanilang natural habitat mismo, wala po silang choice kundi ang available po na pagkain – ‘yung mga nakatirang mga tao po doon," said Davao Crocodile Farm senior naturalist Ver Pedo in an interview aired on “24 Oras." If left undisturbed in their natural habitats, crocodiles are unlikely to eat humans despite their carnivorous nature, Pedo said. “Ang mga crocodiles, nanghahabol lang po sila ‘pag pino-provoke po sila, kapag pinapasok na po natin ang kanilang teritoryo," Pedo explained.
Pedo added that crocodiles turn extra aggressive during their breeding season from April to September.
Preventing croc attacks
Crocodile attacks on humans occur wherever the two species occupy the same habitat.
Primarily discussing similar incidents in Australia, a paper published in the journal"Wilderness and Environmental Medicine" enumerates tips on how to avoid or deal with crocodile attacks.
The paper suggests “minimizing contact between humans and crocodilians."
“The unanimous advice for defending oneself against an attack appears to be to fight back," it adds. “Survivors in Malawi and Australia all attribute their successful escapes to vigorously resisting the attack. Gouging the crocodilian's eyes appears to be an effective action."
“It has been suggested that if your hand is trapped in the mouth of the crocodile, reaching in to displace the palatal valve and cause the crocodile to aspirate water is effective. This has resulted in success in at least one case reviewed," the paper says.
It also advises the public to contact local wildlife authorities for relevant information if venturing into areas likely prone to crocodiles.
For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV
