(AP) MANILA, Philippines — After capturing a one-ton crocodile that could be one of the biggest caught alive in the world, officials said Tuesday that they are hunting for an even bigger beast that may be lurking in the creeks of a remote southern Philippine region.
Villagers and veteran hunters ensnared a 20-foot (6.1-meter) saltwater crocodile over the weekend after a three-week hunt in Bunawan township in Agusan del Sur province, where terrified villagers have reported at least one deadly attack by the huge reptiles.
The crocodile — weighing 2,370 pounds (1,075 kilograms) and estimated to be at least 50 years old — is the biggest to be caught alive in the Philippines in recent years. Wildlife officials were trying to confirm whether it was the largest such catch in the world, said Theresa Mundita Lim of the government's Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau.
Guinness World Records lists a saltwater crocodile caught in Australia as the largest crocodile in captivity, measuring 17 feet 11.75 inches (5.48 meters). Saltwater crocodiles can live for more than 100 years and grow to 23 feet (7 meters).
Relieved villagers in Bunawan threw a fiesta to celebrate the capture of the crocodile, which had to be pulled by rope by about 100 people from the creek to a clearing, where a crane lifted it onto a truck.
"It was like a feast, so many villagers turned up," Mayor Edwin Cox Elorde said.
Wildlife official Ronnie Sumiller, who has hunted "nuisance crocodiles" for 20 years and led the team behind the capture in Bunawan, said a search was under way for a possibly larger crocodile he and villagers have seen roaming in the farming town's marshy outskirts.
"There is a bigger one and it could be the one creating problems," Sumiller told The Associated Press by telephone from Bunawan, about 515 miles (830 kilometers) southeast of Manila.
"The villagers were saying 10 percent of their fear was gone because of the first capture," Sumiller said. "But there is still the other 90 percent to take care of."
Backed by five village hunters he has trained, Sumiller has set 20 steel cable traps with an animal carcass as bait along the creek where the first crocodile was caught and in a nearby vast marshland.
Sumiller said he found no human remains when he induced the captured crocodile to vomit.
He said he was also summoned by Bunawan officials two years ago after a huge crocodile attacked and ate a child from a capsized boat in the marshland. The crocodile was not found at the time.
Elorde said he plans to make the captured crocodile "the biggest star" in an ecotourism park to be built to increase awareness of villagers and potential tourists of the vital role the dreaded reptiles play in the ecosystem.
Philippine laws strictly prohibit civilians from killing endangered crocodiles, with violators facing up to 12 years in prison and a fine of 1 million pesos ($24,000).
The world's most endangered freshwater variety, crocodylus mindorensis, is found only in the Philippines, where only about 250 are known to be in the wild.
About 1,000 of the larger saltwater type, or crocodylus porosus, like the one captured in Bunawan, are scattered mostly in the country's southern swamplands, wildlife official Glen Rebong said.
Environment Secretary Ramon Paje said the enormous crocodile was captured because it was a threat to the community but added that the reptiles are a reminder that the country's remaining rich habitats need to be constantly protected.
Crocodiles have been hunted in the country by poachers hoping to cash in on the high demand in wealthy Asian countries for their skin, which is coveted for vanity products ranging from bags to cellphone cases.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/09/05/ap/asia/main20101678.shtml
A pic of the first captured croc can be seen here:
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/09/06/11/bigger-monster-croc-still-large-agusan
Showing posts with label saltwater crocodile. Show all posts
Showing posts with label saltwater crocodile. Show all posts
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Crocodile goes unnoticed by swimmers at a pool in Australia
A saltwater crocodile who was paddling around among oblivious bathers was spotted and rescued by a lifeguard at a public swimming pool in Australia.
Brave lifeguard Tim Dupe, 54, fished out the crocodile from the shallow end at the Parap swimming pool in Darwin.
He said the pool was holding a swimming boot-camp at the time but luckily the reptile 'had a lane to itself'.
Fortunately for swimmers, the croc was just a baby and only 50cm long.
Ranger Tommy Nichols thinks it was put in the pool as a joke and added that it was the third crocodile to turn up in a public pool in the past few years.
He said: 'They didn't get there by themselves. It's just a stupid thing to do.
'Certainly, a croc this size isn't going to hurt anyone, but if it was bigger it could have ended badly.'
The crocodile has since been released into the wild by rangers at a secret spot in the nearby area.
http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/875159-crocodile-goes-unnoticed-in-public-swimming-pool
Brave lifeguard Tim Dupe, 54, fished out the crocodile from the shallow end at the Parap swimming pool in Darwin.
He said the pool was holding a swimming boot-camp at the time but luckily the reptile 'had a lane to itself'.
Fortunately for swimmers, the croc was just a baby and only 50cm long.
Ranger Tommy Nichols thinks it was put in the pool as a joke and added that it was the third crocodile to turn up in a public pool in the past few years.
He said: 'They didn't get there by themselves. It's just a stupid thing to do.
'Certainly, a croc this size isn't going to hurt anyone, but if it was bigger it could have ended badly.'
The crocodile has since been released into the wild by rangers at a secret spot in the nearby area.
http://www.metro.co.uk/weird/875159-crocodile-goes-unnoticed-in-public-swimming-pool
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
NT abused and forgot Cassius the Crocodile, now they want him back
ABUSED and forgotten – that is how the Northern Territory treated the mighty Cassius. And now all of a sudden, they want him back. Forget about it buddies!
Cassius the 5.48m saltwater crocodile, who now happily resides at Marineland Melanesia on Green Island, has officially been recognised as being the largest crocodile in captivity.
He will appear in the 2012 edition of Guinness World Records, which will be published in Australia on September 15.
The massive croc has lived in luxury on the resort island for close to 24 years, growing larger each day from a healthy diet of fresh chickens and fish.
However, after reading about the Cairns zoo`s accolade, green-eyed Territorians are now trying to claim Cassius as their own.
Cassius was captured south of Darwin in 1987, and brought about 32000km from the NT to Green Island by kind-hearted Marineland founder George Craig.
"If we can claim sportsmen who spend the first few seconds of their life in the NT, we can put the stamp on Cassius,'' Crocosaurus Cove croc manager Nigel Palmer told the NT News.
Mr Palmer went as far as calling for the NT to buy the croc back.
It's a stunning backflip, according to Marineland Melanesia keeper Toody Scott, who claimed Cassius had been rejected by Territorians, after he was placed in a croc farm - to the point locals allegedly threw stones at the giant reptile.
"They had him hidden away for four years, in a croc farm and the locals apparently didn't take much of a liking to him, because of his reputation,'' Mr Scott said.
"They didn't want him hanging around.
"The farmer at the time, gave George a call and thought George would be able to offer a better home for him in Queensland.''
The Cairns Post and The NT News are going snout-to-snout to determine which region has the biggest, best and baddest crocodiles in Australia.
Readers will be able to compare the best croc tales from the Far North and the Northern Territory, and vote for which region they think is top of the crocs.
Mr Scott said it was plain to see from online comments so far that the Far North Queenslanders had far more respect for nature's magnificent predators.
"All you need to do is look at the comments from the Territorians talking about shooting them and killing them - it's like they don't even want crocs up there,'' he said.
To vote in the FNQ vs NT Croc-Off, head to http://www.cairns.com.au/crocoff
http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2011/08/23/179171_crocoff.html
Cassius the 5.48m saltwater crocodile, who now happily resides at Marineland Melanesia on Green Island, has officially been recognised as being the largest crocodile in captivity.
He will appear in the 2012 edition of Guinness World Records, which will be published in Australia on September 15.
The massive croc has lived in luxury on the resort island for close to 24 years, growing larger each day from a healthy diet of fresh chickens and fish.
However, after reading about the Cairns zoo`s accolade, green-eyed Territorians are now trying to claim Cassius as their own.
Cassius was captured south of Darwin in 1987, and brought about 32000km from the NT to Green Island by kind-hearted Marineland founder George Craig.
"If we can claim sportsmen who spend the first few seconds of their life in the NT, we can put the stamp on Cassius,'' Crocosaurus Cove croc manager Nigel Palmer told the NT News.
Mr Palmer went as far as calling for the NT to buy the croc back.
It's a stunning backflip, according to Marineland Melanesia keeper Toody Scott, who claimed Cassius had been rejected by Territorians, after he was placed in a croc farm - to the point locals allegedly threw stones at the giant reptile.
"They had him hidden away for four years, in a croc farm and the locals apparently didn't take much of a liking to him, because of his reputation,'' Mr Scott said.
"They didn't want him hanging around.
"The farmer at the time, gave George a call and thought George would be able to offer a better home for him in Queensland.''
The Cairns Post and The NT News are going snout-to-snout to determine which region has the biggest, best and baddest crocodiles in Australia.
Readers will be able to compare the best croc tales from the Far North and the Northern Territory, and vote for which region they think is top of the crocs.
Mr Scott said it was plain to see from online comments so far that the Far North Queenslanders had far more respect for nature's magnificent predators.
"All you need to do is look at the comments from the Territorians talking about shooting them and killing them - it's like they don't even want crocs up there,'' he said.
To vote in the FNQ vs NT Croc-Off, head to http://www.cairns.com.au/crocoff
http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2011/08/23/179171_crocoff.html
Giant crocodile captured alive in Philippines
MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Villagers and veteran hunters have captured a one-ton saltwater crocodile which they plan to make the star of a planned ecotourism park in a southern Philippine town, an official said Monday.
After initial sightings at a creek, the hunters set four traps, which the crocodile destroyed. They then used sturdier traps using steel cables, one of which finally caught the enormous reptile late Saturday, he said.
About 100 people had to pull the crocodile, which weighs about 2,370 pounds (1,075 kilograms), from the creek to a clearing where a crane lifted it into a truck, he said.
Despite the catch, villagers remain wary because several crocodiles still roam the outskirts of the farming town of about 37,000 people.
They have been told to avoid venturing into marshy areas alone at night, Elorde said.
http://news.yahoo.com/giant-crocodile-captured-alive-philippines-134625838.html
Mayor Edwin Cox Elorde said dozens of villagers and experts ensnared the 21-foot (6.4-meter) male crocodile along a creek in Bunawan township in Agusan del Sur province after a three-week hunt. It could be one of the largest crocodiles to be captured alive in recent years, he said, quoting local crocodile experts.
Elorde said the crocodile killed a water buffalo in an attack witnessed by villagers last month and was also suspected of having attacked a fisherman who went missing in July.
Elorde said the crocodile killed a water buffalo in an attack witnessed by villagers last month and was also suspected of having attacked a fisherman who went missing in July.
He said he sought the help of experts at a crocodile farm in western Palawan province.
"We were nervous but it's our duty to deal with a threat to the villagers," Elorde told The Associated Press by telephone. "When I finally stood before it, I couldn't believe my eyes."After initial sightings at a creek, the hunters set four traps, which the crocodile destroyed. They then used sturdier traps using steel cables, one of which finally caught the enormous reptile late Saturday, he said.
About 100 people had to pull the crocodile, which weighs about 2,370 pounds (1,075 kilograms), from the creek to a clearing where a crane lifted it into a truck, he said.
The crocodile was placed in a fenced cage in an area where the town plans to build an ecotourism park for species found in a vast marshland in Agusan, an impoverished region about 515 miles (830 kilometers) southeast of Manila, Elorde said.
"It will be the biggest star of the park," Elorde said, adding that villagers were happy that they would be able to turn the dangerous crocodile "from a threat into an asset."Despite the catch, villagers remain wary because several crocodiles still roam the outskirts of the farming town of about 37,000 people.
They have been told to avoid venturing into marshy areas alone at night, Elorde said.
http://news.yahoo.com/giant-crocodile-captured-alive-philippines-134625838.html
Friday, July 15, 2011
13.7-Foot Crocodile Captured Alive In Philippines, Suspected Of Killing Fisherman
MANILA, Philippines — A 13.7-foot (4.2 meter) saltwater crododile was captured alive in the Philippines on Monday and will be examined to determine if it killed a fisherman last month.
The male crocodile had to be tied, blindfolded and carried by more than 10 men. It was estimated to weigh up to 770 pounds (350 kilos).
The croc was captured in a trap set up along the Rio Tuba river to hunt for the crocodile that ate the fisherman's legs, said Alex Marcaida, a spokesman for an environment council in Palawan province.
The crocodile was caught near where the man's partial remains were found in Bataraza township of western Palawan province.
It will be induced to vomit to see if its stomach contains human tissues, though Marcaida said it might be too late to know for sure whether the croc killed the man. An 8-foot (2.4 meter) crocodile captured earlier had no trace of human tissues in its stomach.
Crocodylus porosus is the world's largest living reptile species, and full-grown males can reach the length of the one captured.
The species thrives in mangrove areas, and over the last 10 years, crocodiles have killed at least three people in Palawan, Marcaida said.
Wildlife workers only catch "problem crocodiles" but generally leave crocodiles in their natural habitat. Those caught are brought to a crocodile farm and wildlife center in the provincial capital, Puerto Princesa.
The killings may have occurred, he said, because the crocodiles' natural habitat have been disturbed. Some residents near where the crocodile was caught Monday have built closer to the mangrove areas, even putting up backyard piggeries that jut out onto the river, Marcaida added.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/11/13-foot-crocodile-capture-alive_n_894466.html
The male crocodile had to be tied, blindfolded and carried by more than 10 men. It was estimated to weigh up to 770 pounds (350 kilos).
The croc was captured in a trap set up along the Rio Tuba river to hunt for the crocodile that ate the fisherman's legs, said Alex Marcaida, a spokesman for an environment council in Palawan province.
The crocodile was caught near where the man's partial remains were found in Bataraza township of western Palawan province.
It will be induced to vomit to see if its stomach contains human tissues, though Marcaida said it might be too late to know for sure whether the croc killed the man. An 8-foot (2.4 meter) crocodile captured earlier had no trace of human tissues in its stomach.
Crocodylus porosus is the world's largest living reptile species, and full-grown males can reach the length of the one captured.
The species thrives in mangrove areas, and over the last 10 years, crocodiles have killed at least three people in Palawan, Marcaida said.
Wildlife workers only catch "problem crocodiles" but generally leave crocodiles in their natural habitat. Those caught are brought to a crocodile farm and wildlife center in the provincial capital, Puerto Princesa.
The killings may have occurred, he said, because the crocodiles' natural habitat have been disturbed. Some residents near where the crocodile was caught Monday have built closer to the mangrove areas, even putting up backyard piggeries that jut out onto the river, Marcaida added.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/11/13-foot-crocodile-capture-alive_n_894466.html
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)