The search and retrieval operation is still ongoing in Brgy. Canipaan, Rizal, and Palawan have been searched for the remains of a 10-year-old child who was stranglėd and taken away by a crocodile while wading in the river yesterday.

According to Rizal’s Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, at 10:30 a.m. on August 28, the child became ill and went swimming in the river with his friends.

However, it was discovered at about 5 p.m. that the crocodile had suffocated it and taken it away.

To aid in the hunt for the child, the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD) has joined forces with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center (PWRCC).

An evaluation will also be conducted on the Canipaan River to see what actions will be needed to prevent future crocodile attacks.

According to research done by Crocodylus porosus Incorporated, the river is home to 33 crocodiles of various sizes and proportions.

There has also been talk about turning the region into a crocodile refuge, but there are several requirements that must be met, such as evicting residents who live near the river, so that hasn’t happened yet.

“Ang huling pagkakaalam ko ay mayroon ng draft management plan ngunit parang pagdating sa side ng (local government unit) may mga comments pa sila sa management plan,” Jovic Fabello, spokesperson for the PCSD.

“Ang comments ata ay kung papaalisin ba yong mga tao na nasa pampang. May mga areas kasi doon na titulado, mayroong areas na timberland so marami pang aayusin.” 

Crocodiles are known to be in mating season; therefore, attacks occur not just at night but also during the day.

To minimize human-crocodile conflict, the PCSD encouraged everyone, especially those who live near the river, to avoid approaching, bathing, or trapping sea lions.

“Talagang ibayong pag-iingat kapag gagamit sila ng katubigan lalo na sa ilog. Madalas natin silang pinaalalahanan na kapag gabi active ang buwaya ngunit pwede rin kasing maging active yan kahit during the day kapag breeding season.” 

See video here: