Author: greenconvergence

Description

The Philippine crocodile is one of the most endangered freshwater crocodiles. It is small with a relatively broad snout and thick bony plates on its back. Until recently, the Philippine crocodile was considered a subspecies of the very similar New Guinea crocodile (Crocodylus novaguineae).

Biology

Philippine crocodiles are thought to feed mainly on fish, invertebrates and small amphibians and reptiles but very little else is known about the natural history or ecology of wild populations. In captivity, females build mound-nests at the end of the dry season from leaf litter and mud, upon which they lay a relatively small clutch of 7 – 14 eggs. Females show parental care of both the eggs and hatchlings.

Threats

The massive population decline of the Philippine crocodile was originally caused by excessive over-exploitation for commercial use (2). Today, habitat destruction is the most pressing threat to species survival, with rain forests being cleared throughout the region to make way for rice fields in an effort to cope with the human population explosion (2). Locals in this area are also in contact with the infamous esturine or ‘saltwater’ crocodile (Crocodylus porosus), which is one of the largest reptiles in the world and has a reputation as a man-eater. This factor undoubtedly contributes to local intolerance of any crocodile species, even the small Philippine crocodile, which is often killed when encountered (5). The very word for ‘crocodile’ in the Filipino language is a vile insult.

Conservation

Next to the Chinese alligator (Alligator sinensis), the Philippine crocodile is considered to be the most endangered crocodilian in the world. Some authorities believe there may be less than 100 individuals left in the wild , although some wild habitat still remains. Urgent research is needed to assess the current status, in order to implement an effective management strategy for this remaining wild population. This species is protected from international trade by its listing on Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), but there is only one officially protected area within the Philippines, and this is poorly enforced. At present, captive breeding takes place in a small programe run by the Silliman University and at the government-run Crocodile Farming Institute, which breeds crocodiles for commercial and conservation reasons. Sadly, there is currently little political will or local tolerance to save this ancient reptile in the wild and for the short term at least, captive breeding programs may be the key to the, at least nominal, survival of this crocodile.

Why exhibit Visayan warty pigs?

•  Help save this species now! The express purpose of this captive breeding program is to act as a genetic insurance policy: hybridization with feral pigs is a major threat to wild populations.
• Present a spokes-species for island endemism, and tell the stories of habitat loss, human impacts on islands, and the bush meat trade. The Visayan warty pig is listed as #104 on the list of the most evolutionary distinct, globally endangered (EDGE) mammals.
• Create an instant hit with your visitors! This species needs no help endearing itself, from the striped piglets to the “punk rocker” males with a mohawk mane of hair.
• Challenge the public perception that pigs are heavy and awkward by providing this species with climbing opportunities — and create an exciting exhibit at the same time.

The Tamaraw, Bubalus mindorensis, is listed as ‘Critically Endangered’ on the IUCN Red List of Threatened SpeciesTM. It is the largest mammal endemic to the Philippines and can only be
found on the island of Mindoro.

The main current threat to the Tamaraw is habitat loss due to farming by resettled and local people. Historically, this species was hunted for both subsistence and sport, which led to a
period of drastic decline in numbers of individuals and populations. The introduction of cattle in the past also caused a rinderpest epidemic that contributed to a further decline in numbers.
The Tamaraw population has now stabilized and has even shown signs of recovery due to the total ban on sport hunting, closure of nearby ranches, and more intensive patrolling and
awareness activities.

The Tamaraw is listed on CITES Appendix I and also receives total protection under Philippine law. A captive breeding programme for this species proved unsuccessful, and so conservation
efforts are now focused on protecting the wild population of this charismatic Philippine mammal.[/vc_column_text]