The Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center (PWRCC) confirmed that their office is almost 100% sure that the saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) named “Singko” is the one who recently attacked a fisherman in Barangay Poblacion V, Balabac, Palawan.
In a press conference held at the office of the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development in Puerto Princesa City, PWRCC Spokesperson Salvador Guion said that the marking points (referring to its height and weight), and the territorial distance were examined in order to confirm if “Singko” was the one who attacked the fisherman.
“Mataas po ang porsyento na sya ang umatake. Sabi po namin dun sa verbal conversation namin na siya na nga. After namin ma-secure, pumunta kami sa LGU (Local Government Unit), hiningi namin ang reaction ng family kasi nakikita na sya [crocodile] ng family before [family of the victim]. Meron po silang binabanggit na marking point sa parte ng crocodile at sinabi na ito na nga ang crocodile na umatake sa aking kapatid.
So, 5% yun. Idinagdag namin sa porsyento sa 95% namin and based sa observation, 100% na siya ang umatake,” Guion said. On the other hand, Ronie Gandeza, director of PWRCC, added the crocodile will no longer undergo a “gastric lavage” because it was determined already that the reptile is suffering from a great stress from its extraction and transport to PWRCC that may cause his death.
This was also the recommendation given by the experts of their Center. “Gastric Lavage” is a process of cleaning out the stomach or gastric irrigation. This is normally done so the crocodile will vomit the remaining undigested particles in its stomach. “Sa kanyang assessment ay very stressful na ito. So, sabi niya, kelangan namin na mabitawan na agad kasi baka yun pa ang maging cause ng death nya. Di na advisable sa tagal ng pag-transport, sa tagal ng inantay,” said Gandeza.
Moreover, Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD) spokesperson Jovic Fabello said the saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) weighs an estimated 500 kilos and measures 15.6 feet. Personnel from the PWRCC extracted the said crocodile in Barangay Malaking Ilog Saturday afternoon, December 1, 2018. Crocodile “Singko” is believed to have killed the 23-year-old Balabac fisherman Cornelio Bonete. His decomposing body was found on the shore of Sitio Bual, Barangay Malaking Ilog in the said town last November 28. The victim’s right arm and left foot were missing. “Singko” was transferred to PWRCC enclosed shelter.