The world’s largest crocodile was captured yesterday alive from a marshy land in the township of Bunawan 830 kilometres southeast of Manila in Agusan del Sur province of Philippines. Read more to find the videos and details.
This 21 foot long (6.4 metre) saltwater killer crocodile weighs 1075 kilograms and estimated to be at least 50 years old. The Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau officials of Philippines government were trying to confirm whether it was the largest such catch in the world although it is the largest one caught in the Philippines according to the Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Centre.
This was the second one to be captured from the same area. The first one was a 20-foot (6.1-metre) saltwater crocodile which was caught in the last weekend. Filipino villagers were relieved on the capture of the feared beasts. These beasts began to terrify the villagers when a 12 year old girl was killed two years ago in the township by a crocodile when a boat was capsized in the marshy land. Villagers also witnessed a crocodile killing a water buffalo last month and a fisherman was missing since July this year. These incidents added to the terror of the villagers. Bunawan villagers celebrated the capture of the crocodiles.
The search and hunt operation for the crocodile was under the leadership of wildlife official Ronnie Sumiller and he warns villagers about venturing into marshy outskirts of this farming town alone at night.
The crocodile was captured with the help of 20 steel cable traps with an animal carcass as bait. These traps were set by Sumiller and the five village hunters he has trained; along the creek where the first crocodile was caught and in a nearby vast marshland.
According to Guinness World Records the largest crocodile in captivity is measuring 17 feet and 11.75 inches which is a saltwater crocodile caught in Australia. Saltwater crocodiles can live for more than 100 years and grow up to 7 metres.
Philippines government plans to build an ecotourism park showcasing the captured crocodile. The plan is to create awareness among the villagers and to increase potential tourists. These dreaded reptiles play a vital role the ecosystem.
Crocodiles are now in endangered species due to hunting by poachers for their skin which is on the high demand in Asian countries for products ranging from bags to cellphone cases.
Philippines is home to Crocodylus Mindorensis a freshwater variety species is in the world's most endangered list and is found only in the Philippines where only about 250 are known to be in the wild. These reptiles and habitats should be protected though this capture was vital due to its threat to the community.
0 comments:
Post a Comment