Two huge crocodiles caught in Palawan river

Two giant crocodiles were caught Tuesday morning in a river in Bataraza town in Palawan province following a reported attack on humans, a television report said. “Sa mga nahuling buwaya sa Bataraza kanina, 16 na talampakan ang haba ng isa ayon sa kapitan ng Baranggay Rio Tuba at 11 talampakan naman ang isa pang buwaya,” a report on GMA News TV's Balitanghali said.

 

In an interview, Gomer Miano, local chieftain of Barangay Rio Tuba, confirmed the report, saying: “Ganito po yun actually, ‘yung nahulihan ng dalawang buwaya [ay] humigit-kumulang 18 km layo mula sa Brgy. Rio Tuba. Ngunit na-confirm po natin na itong mga nakaraang lingo, mayroon pong tao na inatake ang buwaya. Kaya po yung ating crocodile farm institute staff ay gumawa ng paraan para makahuli po ng buwaya doon sa Sitio Sayab, Brgy. Tanglato, Bataraza, Palawan.”

 

Miano said the crocodiles should be held in captivity after a crocodile attack on a human was recorded weeks ago.

 

“Opo, talagang sinikap po nila na mahuli ito para maiwasan po muli yung pag-atake nila (buwaya) sa mga tao na naliligo doon o kaya may nangingisda sa ilog. Sa amin pong pagkaalam ay fist time po ito na mayroong inatake na tao doon po sa ilog ng Tayab na nasasakupan ng Brgy. Tanglato,” he said.

 

Miano added that if the crocodiles will not be held in captivity, another attack is possible. “Dapat po talagang hulihin ang mga buwayang ‘yan dahil tiyak po na mayroong susunod kapag hindi po sila (buwaya) mahuli," he said.

 

However, Miano could not ascertain if the captured crocodiles were involved in the reported attack.

 

Asked for the reason of the crocodile attack, the baranggay captain explained: “Marahil po ay nasisira ‘yung pong kanilang tirahan kaya wala na po silang makain na mga isda o lamang-dagat doon sa kanilang tirahan kaya po napipilitan sigurong umatake pati ng mga tao.”

 

Still, Miano reminded his townsfolk to protect the natural habitat of the crocodiles.

 

“Huwag po nating sirain yung mga bakawan dahil dyan po sila nabubuhay… Kaya ito pong ating mga buwaya [ay] napipilitan pong umataki ito ng tao dahil wala na po silang makain at ang tirahan po nila ay nasisira na,” he said.

 

Although the crocodiles caught in Palawan were huge, the two pale in comparison to Lolong, a 20 feet, three inches-long crocodile caught in Agusan Marsh September last year. According to Australian zoologist and crocodile expert Dr. Adam Britton, Lolong is the world's biggest saltwater crocodile in captivity.

 

The Guinness Book of World Records has yet to officially announce Lolong as the largest saltwater crocodile held in captivity. — Rouchelle Dinglasan/RSJ, GMA News