Project Philippine Crocodile

The Philippine crocodile is the most critically endangered species of crocodile with less than 100 adults left in the wild. They are threatened by a combination of hunting and habitat loss due to extensive logging and farming in the Philippines. To aid in the recovery of the only population of this crocodile that can be protected in the wild, a small organization, the Mabuwaya foundation, started surveying the crocodile population and protecting their known habitat. They also started a nest protection program, a head-start program for hatchlings, and a habitat restoration program. Under the head-start program, hatchling crocodiles are collected and reared under protected circumstances to increase survival rates. This program has been very successful and increased the survival of hatchling crocodiles from less than 5 % to over 80 % survival. Your vote for this project will specifically help the Mabuwaya foundation continue their habitat recovery work as they plant more native trees along the river banks, create additional safe-release ponds for the young crocodiles, and track released young via radio-tagging so that researchers can better understand these wonderful creatures. Additionally, water pumps will be installed in this poverty-stricken region to provide an alternative source of water to residents of the three villages along the river that has been declared a crocodile sanctuary. The pumps will reduce human/crocodile conflict by limiting the use of the river for washing and bathing. For more information, visit www.mabuwaya.org.