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Jojie Alcantara | profile | all galleries >> ANIMAL WORLD >> Crocs in the wild tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Crocs in the wild

Photography, Jojie Alcantara
Photos of me by Arthur Yap

You are viewing my album, CROC GIRL GONE WILD (which I changed into a tamer, Crocs in the Wild), and this is me. I went into the wild. (Which does not explain why I was wearing an oversized shirt, pajamas and pink boots, and I am not about to).

It all started after I have written an article about Agusan Marsh, including my disappointment not to have spotted a single crocodile. I received an email asking if I wanted to shoot crocodiles in their habitat. A person involved with a conservation organization for crocodiles invited me to shoot the reptiles up close before these endangered animals are to be released in the wild (part of their long term captive breeding and release program). He is a private crocodile farmer.

A few days after, I was on my way to a huge farm where crocodiles are free to roam in the "wild". Along with the caretaker to shoo them away with a stick, I went near the crocs and was able to capture a pair while mating (good news for a critically threatened species)! While two big ones lay hidden in tall bushes, they were all perfectly still, except for the penetrating glassy stare of unblinking eyes that tell you how alive and dangerous they were.

I was told they weren't fed for years, to prepare them for the release (reintroduced in the natural habitat), so they're not used to human contact and are left to hunt on their own. Crocodylus mindorensis (Philippine freshwater crocodile) is endemic to our country, highly endangered (in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species), and of smaller built than the saltwater Crocodylus porosus (which is said to be vicious and mostly ones you see in the croc park).

The crocs I have approached in the photos did not moved a muscle and merely ignored me. Thank God.

(According to wiki, the crocodile was featured in National Geographic's Dangerous Encounters hosted by crocodile specialist Dr. Brady Barr. In one of the episodes, Barr was seeking to be the first person to see all species of crocodile in the world, with the Philippine crocodile as the most difficult. Fortunately, he was able to see a Philippine crocodile only about two weeks old.)

The Philippine crocodile is nationally protected by law since 2001 (Republic Act 9147: the Wildlife Act). Killing a Philippine crocodile carries a minimum penalty of six years imprisonment and/or a fine of 100,000 Pesos (approx.$US2500).(IUCN)

Special thanks to Pag-Asa Farms in Kapalong, Davao del Norte and my buddies who accompanied me: Arthur, Rein and Lynlyn (who all wore the uniformed shirt, pajamas and boots).
Me! (Croc girl capturing croc)
Me! (Croc girl capturing croc)
Me! (Croc girl capturing croc)
Me! (Croc girl capturing croc)
Me! (Croc girl capturing croc)
Me! (Croc girl capturing croc)
endangered Crocodylus mindorensis
endangered Crocodylus mindorensis
endangered Crocodylus mindorensis
endangered Crocodylus mindorensis
endangered Crocodylus mindorensis
endangered Crocodylus mindorensis
Crocs in the wild
Crocs in the wild
endangered Crocodylus mindorensis
endangered Crocodylus mindorensis
endangered Crocodylus mindorensis
endangered Crocodylus mindorensis
endangered Crocodylus mindorensis
endangered Crocodylus mindorensis
Mating session
Mating session
endangered Crocodylus mindorensis
endangered Crocodylus mindorensis
Looking for crocs in the wild
Looking for crocs in the wild