Known as the country’s last ecological frontier, Palawan is also one of the few remaining areas where crocodiles continue to thrive. Local residents and authorities have reported sightings and the presence of these animals particularly within mangrove swamps that serve as their natural habitats.
While crocodiles generally live peacefully within their territories, increased human activity has encroached upon these habitats. Unscrupulous individuals started clearing mangrove areas to build houses and consequently, conflicts between humans and the highly territorial reptiles.
Recognizing the need to preserve crocodile habitats, Palawan’s environmental authorities, together with local communities and stakeholders, have identified a specific area where crocodiles can thrive and multiply safely.
The Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD) has declared a 97-hectare mangrove area in the municipality of Quezon, Palawan as a Critical Habitat for the Indo-Pacific crocodile (Crocodylus porosus).
Reports indicate that Indo-Pacific crocodiles, also known as saltwater crocodiles, live in several parts of southern Palawan, particularly in coastal communities, mangrove forests, and river systems. A significant population is known to exist on Bugsuk Island, located in the southern portion of the province.
Studies also estimate that around 2,640 crocodiles are found in Palawan’s rivers and creeks. “The newly declared Tagusao-Sowangan Critical Habitat aims to ensure the protection and conservation of the endangered Indo-Pacific Crocodile, along with other notable and vulnerable species inhabiting the area, such as the Spotted Wood Owl, Grey-faced Buzzard, Palawan Flowerpecker, and Large Flying Fox,” the PCSD said in a statement.
The council explained that the establishment of this critical habitat was made possible through community consultations, mapping, boundary delineation, and other activities.
“This declaration, pursuant to Republic Act 9147 or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, reinforces Palawan’s commitment as a UNESCO-declared Palawan Biosphere Reserve, where conservation and sustainable development go hand in hand to maintain harmony between people and nature,” the PCSD added.
The PCSD was created under Republic Act No. 7611, also known as the Strategic Environmental Plan (SEP) for Palawan Act, which was signed into law in 1992.
