philippine crocodile release program (status update)
TRANSCRIPT
Philippine Crocodile Release Program
An Update on the Status of the Introduced Philippine Crocodiles (Crocodylus mindorensis) in Paghungawan
Marsh, Siargao Island Protected Landscapes and Seascapes, Pilar, Surigao Del Norte, Philippines
Rainier I. Manalo, MSc., DESManProgram HeadCrocodile Research and ConservationCrocodylus Porosus Philippines Inc.
Seascapes, Pilar, Surigao Del Norte, Philippines
RP-Japan Crocodile Farming Institute
Philippine Government
Special Project Created on August 1987
as a joint project between the DENR and JICA.
To conserve the two endangered species of crocodiles in the Philippines.
DENR and JICA.
a duly registered non-stock, non-profit , and a non-government organization of six (6) legitimate crocodile farmers in the Philippines. CPPI aims for the sustainable resource use
and management or value-driven conservation of the two crocodile species in the Philippines.
This project started in 2006 with 12 adult breeding (M=4; F=8) C. mindorensis
• PWRCC (N=10)• PWRCC (N=10)
• Silliman University (N=2)
Nine clutches from five breeding females Nine clutches from five breeding females were recorded from April 2009 to July 2012were recorded from April 2009 to July 2012
Goal 1: Ecosystem resiliency
Establish a protected wild population
Goal 2: Knowledge development
Enhance current knowledge on the biology and Enhance current knowledge on the biology and ecology
Goal 3: Poverty alleviation
Contribute to the nature tourism industry
STUDY SITE
Siargao Island Protected Landscapes and Seascapes
Presidential Proclamation
No. 902, 1996
Estimated AreaEstimated Area
120 ha (dry season) 120 ha (dry season)
604 ha. (wet season)604 ha. (wet season)
• Quarterly monitoring (June 2013 –March 2015)
• Standard night spotlighting 1900H-2300H
Bio-physical Monitoring
2300H
• Direct spot count
• Age/class verification
• Community interviews
PreyPrey--fish species abundancefish species abundance
• Annual fishery assessment (June 2013 & October 2014)
• CPUE using gillnetsCPUE using gillnets
• Fish composition
Approach to sustainable livelihoodApproach to sustainable livelihood
• Local P.O was organized among the residents of Barangay Jaboy.
• Enhance the capacity of local players in sustainable resource utilization resource utilization
• protection of Paghungawan Marsh• conservation of the introduced PH Crocodiles.
• Coordination with SIPLAS stakeholders to support Community-Based Sustainable Tourism (CBST).
• 36 (15♂; 21♀) juvenile Philippine Crocodiles
• Mean: 76.83 cm. TL and1,315 g. BW
RESULTS
MONTHSNO. OF
SIGHTINGSSIZE CLASS
July 2013 26 JuvenilesJuly 2013 26 Juveniles
November 2013 11 Juveniles
February 2014 15 Juveniles
May 2014 3 Juveniles
July 2-14 11Juveniles
/ Sub-adults
November 2014 7 Sub-adults
January 2015 8 Sub-adults
March 2015 6 Sub-adults
Mean 11
3636Philippine Crocodiles Philippine Crocodiles
release for conservationrelease for conservation 44Reported & Reported &
confirmed deathsconfirmed deaths
11111111Average quarterly Average quarterly
actual sightingsactual sightings1717Estimated total population Estimated total population
based on Grahambased on Graham (1988) 63% (1988) 63% sightings probabilitysightings probability
February 2014February 2014
April 2015April 2015
138.5 cm. TL & 9,900g. BW
Average growth increment from March 2013 – April
2015
0.084 cm/day0.084 cm/day11.76 g./day 11.76 g./day
Mean growth rate within Mean growth rate within 24 months of release. 24 months of release.
Community development
Close Encounter with Philippine CrocodileClose Encounter with Philippine Crocodile
Marshland Adventure Day Tour (3-5PM)Php. 300.00/boat trip
BoatBoat capacitycapacity:: 33 guestsguests andand 11 boatmanboatman
Crocodile Night Watching (7Crocodile Night Watching (7--11 PM) 11 PM) PhpPhp. 400.00/boat trip. 400.00/boat trip
Boat Capacity Boat Capacity –– 2 guests, 1 boatman and 1 spotter/tour guide. 2 guests, 1 boatman and 1 spotter/tour guide.
ConclusionsConclusions
• demonstrated its suitability for the Crocodylusmindorensis with high survival & growth rate (24 mos.)
• more dispersed crocodile population and increasing wariness.increasing wariness.
• community active participation in crocodile monitoring have led to a sustainable management of their wetland resources.
ConclusionsConclusions
•• CBST is inCBST is in--placed with selfplaced with self--sustaining sustaining mechanismsmechanisms
•• Partially successful outcomePartially successful outcome
•• Successful PH Crocodile release program in 3 Successful PH Crocodile release program in 3 decades of conservation works.decades of conservation works.decades of conservation works.decades of conservation works.
... needs to be done... needs to be done
•• Enhancement release to support the growing Enhancement release to support the growing population;population;
•• Boundaries delineate & demarcate;Boundaries delineate & demarcate;
•• CommunityCommunity--based biophysical monitoring be based biophysical monitoring be strengthened;strengthened;strengthened;strengthened;
•• Institutionalized IEC plan;Institutionalized IEC plan;
•• Strengthening the communityStrengthening the community--based monitoring based monitoring team; and team; and
•• Encourage local stakeholders to participate in Encourage local stakeholders to participate in decision making process. decision making process.