Crocodile spotted, rescued in Boracay

ILOILO CITY – A crocodile was spotted and rescued in world-famous Boracay Island in Malay town, Aklan province.

A CROCODILE was spotted and rescued in world-famous Boracay Island in Malay town, Aklan province. (DENR/CENRO-Boracay)

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-6 said the saltwater crocodile (crocodylus porosus) was rescued on Thursday, July 25, by residents and government workers.

DENR-6 officer-in-charge Regional Director Raul Lorilla cited the rescue of the reptile.

“I commend everyone for rescuing the crocodile, which didn’t harm the people, especially the tourists,” said Lorilla.

The crocodile measured 250 centimeters (2.5 meters) in length and 25.5 centimeters (0.255 meters) in width and weighed around 50 to 60 kilograms.

Children first spotted the crocodile around noontime on July 25.

The children recorded the discovery of the crocodile and student Rey Sastre reported the sighting to officials of Barangay Balabag.

A TEAM transports a crocodile spotted and rescued at world-famous Boracay Island. (DENR/CENRO-Boracay)

The DENR-Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) led by Joanette S. Opeda formed a team composed of the Conservation and Development Section (CDS) and Quick Response Team (QRT) to retrieve the crocodile.

The CENRO was assisted in rescuing the crocodile by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Philippine National Police (PNP), Boracay lifeguards, the Malay Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, and residents.

The crocodile had barnacles on its scales that signified that it spent a long time at sea and might have come from Mindoro, Romblon, or Palawan, areas known to have a crocodile population.

It might have washed ashore due to strong currents generated by typhoon ‘’Carina.’’

“This is was a random incident. We assure the community and tourists Boracay Island is still safe. Now, we know what surprises a typhoon can bring,” added Lorilla.