MANILA — A female saltwater crocodile believed to be around 15 years old was rescued in Magalang, Pampanga, surprising wildlife authorities since the species has long been considered absent from the province.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said the 3.1-meter reptile was found in Barangay San Agustin after a concerned resident alerted authorities on Saturday.
Roger Encarnacion, head of the DENR Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office, clarified that the crocodile was not discovered in Pampanga’s coastal wetlands, where the species historically lived, but in an inland area of Magalang.
Authorities believe the animal may have been illegally kept in captivity before being abandoned or voluntarily surrendered after its owner learned that keeping crocodiles as pets is prohibited under Philippine law.
DENR personnel from the Wildlife and Water Resources Management Section and the Forest Protection, Surveillance and Intelligence Section safely recovered the reptile and transported it to the accredited wildlife rescue center operated by the Global Zoo and Theme Park Alliance Inc. inside the Clark Freeport Zone.
Encarnacion said the crocodile appeared healthy despite its unusual discovery. He added that the DENR has an existing arrangement with the rescue facility to provide proper care for rescued wildlife across Pampanga.
DENR Central Luzon Regional Executive Director Ralph Pablo credited the successful rescue to the vigilance of local residents and emphasized the importance of public cooperation in protecting wildlife.
Officials also reminded the public that crocodiles and other wild animals should never be kept as pets because they pose serious safety risks and are protected under the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act.
Historians note that crocodiles once formed part of Pampanga’s natural environment. Historical records, including an 18th-century Kapampangan dictionary, documented numerous crocodile-related terms, while several villages in Mabalacat and Magalang were named after the reptiles, reflecting their former presence in the province.
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