The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) - Soccsksargen warns the public of a saltwater crocodile near the waters off Juanico Village Extension, Brgy. Lun Padidu, Malapatan, Sarangani Province.
Based on a drone footage, Garry John Cabinta, ecosystem management specialist of Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) - Sarangani, estimates the length of the crocodile to be between three meters to four meters.
Shalimar Disomangcop, provincial environment and natural resources officer of Sarangani, said that crocodile might be the same one spotted in Minanga, Buayan, General Santos City.
Disomangcop said that they still need to determine whether the area is the natural habitat of the crocodile, or if it went there for breeding purposes.
“Identifying the crocodile's presence is important, given their highly territorial nature and potential threat to human safety,” Disomangcop said on Wednesday, September 11, in a statement.
Cirilo Lagnason Jr., area superintendent of the Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape, assured that they have already reached out to several experts to determine the apporpriate response to the presence of the crocodile.
"We advise the public to stay vigilant and avoid encounters with the crocodile, particularly residents near the mangrove areas of Minanga, Buayan, General Santos City, and Lun Padidu, Malapatan, Sarangani Province," Lagnason said.
