Fishermen hold croc captive, want P40,000

MANILA, Philippines - Fishermen in Cotabato are demanding P40,000 in exchange for the release of a captive.

But the government has a no-ransom policy when it comes to wildlife including crocodiles, one of which was accidentally caught by the fishermen in Liguasan Marsh last Saturday.

The fishermen have tied the 2.5-meter-long crocodile to a tree while waiting for a “reward” of P40,000 that they have demanded from the government in Mlang town in exchange for the reptile.

Environment officials have advised the Mlang government not to give in to what wildlife advocates consider as a ransom demand for the animal.

“It will just encourage more illegal collections of wildlife,” said director Theresa Mundita Lim of the Biodiversity Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

“Illegal possession and killing of wildlife are punishable under the Wildlife Act,” Lim warned. “Cases can be filed against them, and there is a higher penalty if the crocodile dies in their possession.”

Local officials have expressed concern that the crocodile could die from stress or harm residents if it manages to escape.

The world’s officially recognized longest saltwater crocodile, named Lolong, was caught in the Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary in Bunawan town in September 2011.

Measuring 6.17 meters and weighting over a ton, Lolong initially refused to eat in captivity. The crocodile, believed to be 50 years old, died after a year of being kept in a pen and turned into a tourist attraction.

Both the Agusan and Liguasan marshes are protected wetlands and are included in UNESCO’s tentative list of World Heritage Sites.

Covering some 288,000 hectares, Liguasan is the largest swamp and marsh area in Mindanao.