The CPPI Newsletter

Issue #2, January 2018

This publication serves as the annual report of CPPI. Photo: CPPI/RManalo

2017 CPPI Research Highlights

• CPPI surveyed five rivers on the mainland • CPPI staff and partners conducted an ocular/
and eight in the small islands of Southern reconnaissance of Upper Pagatban River in
Palawan for the presence of the Indo-Pacific Hinobaan-Sipalay area, Negros Occidental.
Crocodile Crocodylus porosus, covering The activity also allowed for the verification
a total distance of 30.89 km and 29.29 of reports declaring Lake Leonard in
km, respectively. Initial results yielded 21 Compostella Valley as a historical habitat
sightings in the mainland rivers and 146 in of the Philippine Crocodile C. mindorensis,
the small islands, with Bugsuk Island alone thus a potential site for Philippine crocodile
accounting for 123 of these encounters. reintroduction. Both locations will undergo
Using the method of __________
Bayliss 1987 for further surveys to confirm the existence
estimating population abundance, it was of remnant populations and assess its
estimated that the mainland rivers had a potential for a reintroduction program.
population density of 65 while the small
island rivers was much higher at 323. This • Monitoring of the released C.
brought the overall population abundance mindorensis in Paghungawan Marsh,
estimate for Southern Palawan to 388. Siargao Island Protected Landscapes
and Seascapes (SIPLAS) continues to
• A Critical Habitat Biodiversity Assessment this date. A supplemental release of
for Crocodylus porosus in Tagusao River, 29 juveniles was done in June 2017 at
Brgy. Sowangan, Quezon, Palawan was
accomplished in response to the Municipal
ECAN Board Resolution No. 2016-10,
requesting the PCSDS, Sangguniang Bayan
of Quezon, Barangay Councils of Sowangan
and Tagusao, Indigenous Peoples and other
stakeholders to declare the location of
crocodile nest as a Local Protected Area/
Critical Habitat. Technical documents are
currently being prepared together with the
Barangay LGU endorsement in partnership
with the Municipality of Quezon, Palawan.
 the request of the LGU. The decrease in 2018 with the use of a drone to
in the number of sightings prior to check areas which are suspected to be
the supplemental release, as shown inhabited by the released crocodiles.
in the table below, has been largely
attributed to the natural dispersal
movement of the crocodiles to areas
inaccessible to humans. Monitoring
of the stock is expected to improve

NO. OF
MONTHS SIZE CLASS
SIGHTINGS
Jul 2013 26 Juveniles
Nov 2013 11 Juveniles
Feb 2014 15 Juveniles
May 2014 3 Juveniles
Jul 2014 11 Juveniles/Sub-adults
Nov 2014 7 Sub-adults
Jan 2015 8 Sub-adults
Mar 2015 6 Sub-adults
Jun 2015 2 Sub-adults
Sep 2015 3 Sub-adults
Dec 2015 3 Sub-adults
Feb 2016 3 Sub-adults
Jun 2016 4 Sub-adults
Nov 2016 4 Sub-adults
Feb 2017 6 Sub-adults
Jun 2017 31 Juveniles /Sub-adults
Nov 2017 4 Juveniles /Sub-adults
MeanNo.ofSightings 9

• A research article was published in the
Journal for Animal Science and Research:
Corvera MD, Manalo RI, Aquino, MTR.
(2017). People and Crocodiles Sharing
One Environment: An Analysis of Local
Human Crocodile Conflict Management
Strategies in the Philippines. J Anim. Sci.
Res 1(1): dx.doi.org/10.16966/jasr.105
• A second research article was published
in the Technical Journal of Philippine
Ecosystems and Natural Resources:
Manalo RI, Tabayag EA, and Baltazar, PC.
(2017). Conservation Milestones of the
Critically Endangered Philippine Crocodile
(Crocodylus mindorensis Schmidt 1935).
Sylvatrop, Tech J Technical Ph Eco & Nat
Res 27 (1&2): 30-46.
 CPPI Introduction Program for Philippine Crocodiles

The second release of Philippine crocodile
in Paghungawan Marsh in Siargao Island was
successfully conducted on June 17, 2017. IUCN-
CSG Deputy Chair Charlie Manolis and CSG
Executive Officer Tom Dacey were invited to
the release of 8 yearling and 21 juvenile (21M,
8F) captive-bred C. mindorensis. The event was
graced by Hon. Mayor Ma. Liza G. Resurreccion
and council members of the Municipality
of Pilar, Hon. Brgy. Chair Narda Trigo and
council members of Barangay Jaboy, SIPLAS
Protected Area Office Asst. PA Superintendent
Celsa Espadero, DENR Staff, Philippine
National Police, Department of Education –
Division of Siargao, CPPI board members and
their research team, Coral Agri-Venture Farm
Inc., JKMercado & Sons Agricultural Enterprises
Inc., Valderrama Aquaculture Inc., Golden Acres
Farm Inc., local Government and community
members of the Municipality of Pilar. The
supplemental release was requested by the
local government of Pilar for the enhancement
of their community-based sustainable
ecotourism.

A documentary featuring the Philippine Crocodile in

the Paghungawan Marsh and the release project in GMA
I-Witness “Crocodylus” dokumentaryo ni Kara David was
aired last July
_________.
01, 2017.

Human-Crocodile Conflicts: Philippine Record Update

Non-
YEAR Fatal TOTAL Activity Details
Fatal
2010 3 1 4 Electro-fishing, Bathing, Mariculture
2011 0 2 2 Mariculture, Fuel wood gathering
2012 2 0 2 Mariculture, River crossing on foot

2013 0 0 0
2014 3 1 4 By-catch, Fishing, River crossing on foot
2015 6 1 7 Fishing, Laundry
2016 0 0 0 No reports received
2017 3 2 5 Tending banca, fetching water, spearfishing
TOTAL 17 7 24

CPPI Official Address: Pag-asa Farms, Kapalong, Davao Del Norte

c/o Microlab, 1157 Rodriguez Ave., cor. Gen. Lim and Gen. Lacuna Sts.,
Makati City, Metro Manila
Tel. No: 551-3839 • 512-3282 to 84 • 512-2386 to 87
Fax: 831-9621 / 819-3214
Website: www.philippinecrocodile.com.ph
Email Address: philippinecroc@gmail.com

• CPPI Program Director Rainier I. Manalo
was nominated by the DENR Biodiversity
Management Bureau to participate in the
Global Wildlife Program (GWP) and Gabon’s
National Park Agency (ANPN) Conference
on Reducing Human-Wildlife Conflict and
Enhancing Coexistence held at the La Lope
National Park and Libreville, Gabon, Central
Africa on 3-7 April 2017. The conference was
co-hosted by the World Bank and the GWP
team and aimed to facilitate collaboration
and the sharing of lessons learned, best
practices, and use of innovative tools
amongst the GWP countries and to ensure
that this knowledge exchange reaches a
wider audience.
• Mr. Brian P. Sibongga, Mr. Philip C.
Baltazar, and Ms. Meljory D. Corvera are
among the new IUCN SSC-CSG members.
• Ms. Meljory D. Corvera and Mr. Philip
C. Baltazar attended the 8th National
Zookeeper Training – Workshop of the
Zookeepers Association of the Philippines
organized by the the International Congress
of Zookeepers in partnership with the
Biodiversity Management Bureau and
WILCON Depot’s 3rd Wilcon Cup last 19 January 2017
at the Tagaytay Highlands awarded Php 300,000.00
to the Crocodylus Porosus Philippines, Inc. as part of
their commitment to the sustainable management and
conservation of crocodiles in the Philippines.
Institutional Strength
held at the BMB Training Center on 16 – 18
October 2017.
• CPPI President, Mr. Vicente Mercado
together with Mr. James Chan, Mr. Rainier
Manalo, and Ms. Meljory Corvera attended
the 12th Conference of the Parties to
the Convention on the Conservation of
Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS
COP12) Leaders’ Dialogue. The event
brought together ministers, the private
sector, and non-governmental entities
and highlighted the importance of youth
education and public-private partnerships
in achieving sustainable development under
the theme “Moving Towards a Pollution-Free
Planet.” The CMS COP12 with the theme:
“Their Future is Our Future – Sustainable
Development for Wildlife & People” was held
in PICC, Manila, Philippines on 23-26October
2017– the first time in Asia. The conference
links to the Sustainable Development Goals
agreed by the world’s governments in 2015
to end poverty and hunger, improve health
and education, combat climate change and
protect oceans and forests. CPPI was one
of the Observer NGO to gain experience in
species listing proposal preparation.
• Co-sponsored the 3rd Regional
Wildlife Quiz Bowl of the Alpha Phi
Omega (Philippines) International
– Lambda Nu Chapter that was
held in Davao City on 4 March 2017
(Php. 10,000.00); the 26th Annual
Philippine Biodiversity Symposium
held in Ateneo de Manila University,
Quezon City last 19-21 July
2017 (Php. 25,000.00), and the
Culture+Learning, Art+Design,
Environment+Science (CLADES),
The First Philippine Natural History
Museums and Collections Summit
in SEAMEO SEARCA, University of
the Philippines, Los Banos, Laguna
last 27-28 September 2017 (Php.
35,000.00).
hening and Networking

Above: CPPI Chairman Dr. Angel C. Alcala, Philippine

National Scientist, was honored as one of the 2017
ASEAN Biodiversity Heroes by the ASEAN Centre
for Biodiversity during the celebration of the ASEAN
Golden Anniversary on 7 August 2017. He also received
the Hyundai Icon for Biodiversity Award, a special prize
from HARI Foundation, Inc. (HFI). He became the first
Biodiversity Hero from the Philippines.
Right: CPPI Program Director Rainier I. Manalo was recognized by the Biodiversity Management
Bureau for his exceptional and valuable contribution to the sustainable management and
protection of crocodiles during the First DENR Biodiversity Recognition Awards at the Biodiversity
Management Bureau, Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center, Quezon City on 23 June 2017.
Below: CPPI Program Director Rainier I. Manalo was featured in the “Alumni stories: Where Are
They Now?” of the Durrell Conservation Academy in Channel Island, Jersey. UK.
 Public Education
and Community
Participation
• CPPI, in partnership with the DENR
Provincial Environment & Natural Resources
Office –Palawan and the Palawan Wildlife
Rescue and Conservation Center, hosted
the Palawan Youth Forum on Crocodile
Conservation with the theme “Listen to
the Young Voices” during the celebration
of the World Wildlife Day last 03 March
2017. Young student leaders of Palawan
gathered together to increase education
and awareness to address on-going major
threats to crocodiles including habitat
conversion, over-exploitation, and illicit
wildlife trafficking. The youth are the agents
of change. It’s time their voices are heard.
• Initiated the Wildlife Enforcement
Officers Deputation Training and Monitoring Ms. Meljory D. Corvera presented a paper
Network in the Municipality of Pilar, Surigao entitled “People and Crocodiles Sharing One
Environment: An Analysis of Local Human
Del Norte, SIPLAS on 27-29 March 2017 in
Crocodile Conflict Management Strategies
collaboration with the DENR Caraga Region in the Philippines” along with four research
and MLGU Pilar. grantees of the Charles Andy Ross Fund for
• Conducted community and public Crocodile Research and Conservation in the
schools outreach program in Brgys. Rabor 26th Annual Philippine Biodiversity Symposium
and Agutayan, Balabac, Palawan. held in Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon
City last 19-21 July 2017.

CPPI BOARD MEMBERS

CHAIRMAN: Dr. Angel C. Alcala
Silliman University-Angelo King Center
for Research and Environmental
Management
PRESIDENT: Mr. Vicente P. Mercado
JKMercado and Sons Agricultural
Enterprises Inc.
DIRECTOR: Mr. William T. Belo
Coral Agri-venture Farm Inc.
DIRECTOR: Mr. Daniel C. Barlis
Valderrama Aqua-Culture Inc.
DIRECTOR: Mr. Heintje O. Limketkai
Philippine Ostrich and Crocodile Farm Inc.
DIRECTOR: Mr. Salvador S. Chan
Spearheaded the Forum on Conserving Our National Patrimony Golden Acres Farm Inc.
at the Conrado Benitez Hall, Philippine Women’s University, Taft MEMBER: Dr. Arvin C. Diesmos
National Museum of the Philippines
Avenue Manila during the celebration of the World Environment
EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Day on 5 June 2017 as part of the Philippine Environment Month Ms. Careen Y. Belo
in collaboration with PWU Environmental Science Society. Coral Agri-venture Farm Inc.

The CROCODYLUS POROSUS PHILIPPINES, INC. (CPPI) is a premier non-stock, non-profit non-
government organization of six crocodile farmers in the Philippines. It is proud in proclaiming
the Conservation through Sustainable Management of Crocodiles in the Philippines. Without
reservation, CPPI commits to the sustainable use of commercially farmed Crocodylus porosus and
the research and conservation of the two crocodile species in the Philippines.
CPPI is a registered donee institution with BIR Registration No. 060-2013.
 Policy Plan/ Program Development

Attended the 3rd National

Committee for Crocodile
Conservation (NCCC) meeting
in Palawan Uno Hotel
Function Hall, Barangay
San Pedro, Puerto Princesa
City, Palawan, 20 June 2017.
One of its agenda is the
identification of activities
for the preparation of
CITES downlisting proposal
of Indo-Pacific Crocodile
(Crocodylus porosus) from
Appendix I to Appendix II.

• Carried out tasks as part of the NCCC

Technical Working Group in the
development of the “Protocol on the
Management of Human-Crocodile
Conflict” held in Ark Avilon, Quezon
City on 24 July 2017.
• Participated in the Consultation
Workshop on the Development of CPPI Partners
Assessment Criteria for Determination
of the Conservation Status of Palawan
Wild Flora and Fauna held at the Legend
Hotel, Palawan from 8 to 9 November
2017. The event was organized by
the Palawan Council for Sustainable
Development Staff in partnership with
the Department of Environment and
Natural Resources and USAid Protect
Wildlife Program. Editorial Team
Contributors:
Michael Vincent Cruz
Rainier Manalo
Philip Baltazar
Editing and Layout
Teri Aquino
 CHARLES ‘ANDY’ ROSS FUND FOR CROCODILE
RESEARCH AND CONSERVATION
Dedicated to the late Charles “Andy” Ross (1953-2011)
• Research funds totalling Php. 187,600.00
were awarded in 2017 through the CPPI
- Charles Andy Ross Fund for Crocodile
Research and Conservation to a total of
three recipients: two undergraduate
research thesis students from the
University of Santo Tomas (UST)
Department of Biological Sciences, College
of Science, Research Center for Natural and
Applied Sciences - Crocodile Blood as Cure
for Cancer (Php. 136,400.00); and one PhD
student in Fisheries Management from
the Western Philippines University (WPU)
- Development of Fishery Productivity
Models of Mangrove Ecosystem and Indo-
Pacific Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus)
Spatial and Temporal Interaction in
Southern, Palawan, The Philippines (Php.
51,200.00).