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PHILIPPINE CROCODILE CAPTIVE BREEDING AND CONSERVATION PROGRAM

IMPLEMENTING AGENCY : Gladys Porter Zoo, Valley Zoological Society (U.S.A)

COOPERATING INSTITUTION : Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau and Silliman University,

Dumaguete City

DATE STARTED : Early 1970's

FUNDING SOURCE :

BACKGROUND INFORMATION :

The Gladys Porter Zoo has been involved with the Conservation of the Philippine Crocodile (Crocodylus mindorensis) since the early 1970's, when it received 5 juvenile crocodiles, believed to be clutch-mates, from Silliman University.

The involvement of Gladys Porter Zoo (GPZ) in crocodile conservation, however, was never covered by an agreement with the DENR or any Philippine Government agency. It was only on December 7, 2000 that such involvement was formalized through a 5-year Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the DENR and said zoological institution. Under the MOA, GPZ is tasked, among others, to: i) continue to undertake captive breeding and other conservation-oriented researches on Crocodylus mindorensis in its facility in Texas, U.S.A.; ii) repatriate to the Philippines three (3) individuals of Philippine crocodile bred in captivity at GPZ and certain number of the animal that may be produced in the future; iii) assist the Crocodile Farming Institute (now Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center) in soliciting funds for the conduct of field inventory, habitat surveys, information dissemination and other in-country activities towards strengthening efforts to conserve the species; iv) assist CFI (PWRCC) in health monitoring of captive crocodiles; v) establish networking with other zoological institutions within U.S.A. for the conservation of the species; vi) serve as source of crocodile breeding stock for other American zoos; and vii) establish a registry of all captive crocodiles being maintained at GPZ and other participating institutions under the aegis of the MOA.

The DENR on the other hand, shall, among others: i) loan one (1) adult female crocodile from CFI (PWRCC) to GPZ for conservation breeding purposes; ii) assist in carrying out in-country conservation related activities for the Philippine Crocodile; iii) issue permit for the local transport and export of Philippine Crocodile, its by-products and/or derivatives whenever necessary; iv) allow GPZ to transfer certain number of Crocodylus mindorensis to other recognized zoological institutions upon execution of Breeding Loan Agreement with said zoological institutions; and, v) in collaboration with DFA monitor compliance of GPZ to the terms and conditions of the MOA.

Prior to the execution of the MOA, the GPZ through its Curator of Herpetology, Ms. Colette Adams, became formally involved in crocodile conservation starting in October 2000 by virtue of DENR Special Order No. 2000-34 creating the Philippine Crocodile Recovery Team (PCRT). Ms. Adams is a member of said Team that is tasked to formulate and implement a National Recovery Plan for Crocodylus mindorensis.

OBJECTIVES :

* Short-Term: To help establish a stable, genetically diverse population of Philippine Crocodiles within North America in order to augment and contribute to the conservation, breeding and scientific research of Crocodylus mindorensis.

* Long-Term: To help assure the survival of the species in nature through cooperative efforts with the DENR.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS :

MILESTONES :

* Successful breeding of Crocodylus mindorensis in GPZ facility. From a breeding pair of crocodiles, the GPZ had produced 25 live offspring to date;

* Repatriation of five (5) offspring to Silliman University and three (3) to DENR-PAWB the latter for deposition at PWRCC (CFI).