Philippine croc regales North Cotabato villagers

KABACAN, North Cotabato -- Villagers in a remote barangay of Kabacan, North Cotabato have been treated to the sight of a seven-foot Philippine crocodile that has twice appeared at an irrigation dam.

Barangay Dagupan councilman Renato Espino said residents were stunned when the reptile was first seen at the dam in Sitio Kinudal in adjacent Barangay Kilada, Matalam around 10 a.m. Tuesday.

The crocodile, he said, dove into the irrigation canal when it noticed there were people around.

But it reappeared around 6 p.m. Thursday.

Espino said people were both happy watching the crocodile but also “very careful, afraid it will attack humans.”

He said they believe the reptile came from the Kabacan River, which overflowed early this week and flooded seven low-lying villages following heavy downpours.

Espino said village officials had already coordinated with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources since they do not know what to do should the reptile reappear once more.

In April, a Philippine crocodile was captured in Mlang, also in North Cotabato, and was later returned to its natural habitat in the Liguasan marshland.

Source: Here