I worked once in a crocodile farming facility that aims to conserve the endangered species of crocodiles in the Philippines. I was tasked with the job of finding out the status and distribution of crocodiles in the country. This entailed spending long nights in the rivers of Palawan Island as well as the known distribution of crocodiles in the Philippines. This brought me to distant places like Aparri, Cagayan, Catanduanes, Davao, Agusan, among others.

Saltwater Crocodile Surveys in Palawan

During each of the surveys we did in Palawan, we would haul an open fiberglass speedboat  using a four-wheel drive vehicle to the mouth of the river and explore the crocodile infested river upstream. Those places we surveyed have reported sightings as well as news of crocodile preying activity, sometimes of humans. Crocodiles are man-eating reptiles. And more than 20 of these crocodiles have been caught in Taritien River in Narra, one of the rivers we explored.

Fig. 1. Juvenile saltwater crocodiles in tanks in the crocodile farming facility in Irawan, Puerto Princesa.

Juvenile Saltwater Crocodile

Crocodiles are easily spotted using a bright spotlight at the head of the boat. I do the spotting while my companions keep the speedboat ready and steady for any eventuality.

The first time we saw a saltwater crocodile, we were quite alarmed. We know for sure that we have seen a crocodile because the spotlight bounces onto something red and shiny along the river. Crocodiles are distinguished by the red reflection of its eyes once light is shone on it.

We followed our cue slowly and quietly. It’s a mixed feeling of curiosity and apprehension. We were after a saltwater crocodile (!) that are able to prey on humans. It was a relief when we found out what it was. It’s a juvenile saltwater crocodile.

Chasing the Juvenile Saltwater Crocodile

My companions jumped off the boat and tried to chase the juvenile saltwater crocodile as back in the crocodile farming facility they can restrain those sizes easily once they get hold of the head and cover the eyes. The crocodile was quick enough to escape in the complex roots of the stilt mangroves to escape the rushing crocodile hunters. We were unable to capture the young crocodile.