IUCN/SSC Re-introduction Specialist Group (RSG)

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Published by: IUCN/SSC Re-introduction Specialist Group & Environment Agency-ABU DHABI

Copyright: © 2016 International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources

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Citation: Soorae, P. S. (ed.) (2016). Global Re-introduction Perspectives: 2016. Case-studies from around the globe. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN/SSC Re- introduction Specialist Group and Abu Dhabi, UAE: Environment Agency- Abu Dhabi. xiv + 276 pp.

ISBN: 978-2-8317-1761-6

Cover photo: Clockwise starting from top-left: i. Bolson’s tortoise, USA @ Turner Endangered Fund ii. Wetapunga, New Zealand @ Richard Gibson iii. Morelos minnow, Mexico @ Topiltzin Contreras-MacBeath iv. Silene cambessedesii, Spain @ Emilio Laguna v. Tasmanian Devil, Maria , Tasmania @Simon DeSalis vi. Agile frog, Jersey @ States of Jersey Department of the Environment

Cover design & layout by: Pritpal S. Soorae, IUCN/SSC Re-introduction Specialist Group

Produced by: IUCN/SSC Re-introduction Specialist Group & Environment Agency-ABU DHABI

Download at: www.iucnsscrsg.org

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Conservation Introduction of the Philippine in Paghungawan Marsh, Siargao Island Protected Landscape and Seascape (SIPLAS), ,

Rainier Manalo1,3, Angel Alcala2, Vicente Mercado1,4 & William Belo1,3

1 - Porosus Philippines Inc., Pag-asa, Kapalong, 8113, Davao Del Norte, Philippines [email protected] & [email protected] 2 - Silliman University Angelo King Center for Research and Environmental Management, 2/F Dr. Angel C. Alcala Environment & Marine Science Labs., Silliman , Bantayan, 6200, Dumaguete City, Philippines [email protected] 3 - Coral Agri-venture Farm Inc., Bo. Road, Pantay Buhangin, Teresa-Morong, Rizal, Philippines [email protected] 4 - JKMercado and Sons Agricultural Enterprises Inc., Pag-asa, Kapalong, Davao Del Norte, Philippines [email protected]

Introduction The Philippine crocodile (Crocodylus mindorensis) is the second most crocodilian species in the world. Endemic to the Philippine , this relatively smaller and wary crocodile was once widespread throughout the country. Extant population is now restricted to inland freshwater wetland pockets of northeastern and in central . Isolated populations are also recorded in higher altitude (700 - 850 m above sea-level) and on small Island off Luzon with minimal habitats. Land conversion has poses more of a threat to the fragmented wild populations than direct hunting, illegal trade and human persecution. With the inferred population being not more than 200 mature individuals in its natural range, conservation actions are being directed to searching new viable habitats. In 2010, a natural limestone depression referred to as Paghungawan Marsh in Barangay Jaboy, Pilar, Release of in Siargao Islands Siargao Island on © CPPI R. I. Manalo

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Mindanao appeared to be an ideal habitat for Philippine crocodile. Although Siargao Island is not part of its known range, prey species and microhabitats are naturally available and capable of sustaining a small population of C. mindorensis. Thirty-six young crocodiles were therefore introduced into this area primarily for ecotourism.

Goals Goal 1: Establish a protected wild population. Goal 2: Enhance current knowledge on the biology and ecology. Goal 3: Contribute to the ecotourism industry.

Success Indicators Indicator 1: Introduced healthy juvenile Philippine crocodiles thriving in the wild. Indicator 2: Crocodile monitoring manual/protocols exist, are well implemented and used in adaptive management. Indicator 3: Community-based sustainable ecotourism management plan exists and is being implemented.

Project Summary Feasibility: The Philippine crocodile inhabits freshwater lakes, swamps, large rivers, and creeks. Major wetlands in the Island of Mindanao in southern Philippines used to harbor crocodile population in the past. Excessive hunting and land use change for agriculture and fishery development, reduced population viability and wetland habitats over time. The growth of human population in areas previously occupied by Philippine crocodiles resulted in natural resource use conflict. Good quality habitat plus legal instrument, government support and protection from resident human communities are the primary concerns. The historical distribution of Philippine crocodile based on the works of Ross and Alcala (1984) became the main blueprint of the Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center, PWRCC (formerly Crocodile Farming Institute) from 1992 - 2008 to investigate known Philippine crocodile population and suitable habitat for the re- introduction. The release of progenies from the captive breeding programs to restock the wild Paghongawan Marsh, Jaboy, Pilar, Surigao Del Norte population is the ultimate © CPPI R. I. Manalo goal. Finally in 2009, the

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first re-introduction was implemented in northeastern Luzon and central Mindanao. This re- introduction defined the initial approach to assess human and crocodile coexistence in the country. Likewise, the results have provided government reviews of strategies for this conservation introduction. In general, this project aimed to establish a viable and free -ranging population in appropriate habitats within Community-based Crocodile monitoring a secured environment in Siargao Island Protected © CPPI P.C. Baltazar Landscape and Seascape (SIPLAS).

Implementation: Habitat suitability assessments demonstrated that the Paghungawan Marsh, a sizeable freshwater marsh was an ideal habitat wherein critical resources such as food and microhabitat were naturally available. This also led to the discovery of amphibian species new to science including those species of flora and fauna that were recorded for the first time. Public consultations and awareness campaign were also intensively undertaken in nearby secondary and tertiary schools. Collaborative support from the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB), local residents of the impact areas, local government of the municipality of Pilar, and clearance from the Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources were secured prior to release. In support to the program, the SIPLAS PAMB designated the Paghungawan Marsh as Strict Protection Zone. In March 2013, 36 juvenile Critically Endangered Philippine crocodiles were introduced into Paghungawan Marsh in SIPLAS. These were progenies of the Philippine crocodiles previously maintained in semi- wild conditions without any supplementary feeding. The released crocodiles were subjected to veterinary and quarantine examination. The village council subsequently passed a regulation that prohibited the use of fishing nets and poisonous substance within the area of the marsh. Along with these, majority of the local residents organized themselves into a Jaboy Ecotourism and Conservation Organization (JECO), a duly registered community-based people’s organization with the primary goal to protect, monitor and promote the Philippine crocodile as flagship species in Paghungawan Marsh. The crocodile research and conservation effort marks another milestone in the history of Philippine crocodile conservation. The Paghungawan Marsh is being organized for Community-based Sustainable Tourism (CBST) site featuring its natural, serene landscape and rich biodiversity through Crocodile Night Watch as major attractions. Other potential

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tourism attractions of the area include guided tours of the marsh ecosystem and its endemic fauna.

Post-release monitoring: Sixteen months after the successful soft-release, the juvenile Philippine crocodiles showed signs of adapting to their new natural environment. Most of the crocodiles have been found resting in shallow water on vegetation in close proximity to each other while foraging at night. Aggressive behavior was not evident, contrary to previous reports in other localities. In several occasions, these crocodiles were observed to gain their hunting skills, searching for food during sundown under a limestone ledge that was that was surrounded by vegetation. Some crocodiles became wary and got disturbed by the bright red LED light in the course of photographing them. An average of 15 tapetal reflections from direct observation was recorded during night spotlighting monitoring in different locations in the entire marsh. Most of the observations were made within the release site. Juvenile mortality due to fishery accidental catch was also recorded. Crocodiles were trapped by gillnets installed overnight by fisherman. The use of fishing nets and hook-and-line has now been prohibited in Paghungawan Marsh by the village council. Vigilant members of JECO are being trained to be part of the Community Monitoring Group of the SIPLAS Biodiversity Monitoring System under the DENR - Protected Area Office. This intervention has enhanced community interest for ecotourism and their combined volunteer effort has contributed to the preliminary installation of the Paghungawan Marsh Adventure Tour.

Major difficulties faced Implementing public consultations and awareness campaign to gather community support for the Project. Changing the fishery resource use practices of the impact communities in order to create harmonious human-crocodile coexistence. Involving other government agencies to support the conduct of biophysical monitoring program. Piloting of sustainable community-based eco-tourism as leverage in securing alternative livelihood and sufficient freshwater fishery production.

Major lessons learned The territorial behavior of the released crocodiles develops as they approach different life stages. Biophysical monitoring during dry months with low water delimits the actual sightings to navigable area. However, recent changes in weather patterns have dramatically influence the amount of residual water of the marsh being a catch basin on this part of the Island. The increase of rainfall determines the extent of the marsh waterlogged area which caused the dispersal of crocodiles into adjacent suitable habitats. Sustained support from the community-based stakeholders can be fully achieved by carrying out a continued outreach program. Disseminating knowledge on the natural behavior of Philippine crocodile in the wild enhanced sustainable conservation management actions.

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The presence of heavy infrastructure development (which in this case is the upgrading of provincial road) caused the juvenile crocodiles to move away to adjacent waterlogged areas. These young crocodiles that experienced soft release conditioning have been observed to exhibits a more adaptive behavior in the new environment. They displayed well-developed predatory skills yet retained their reticence and wariness.

Success of project

Highly Successful Successful Partially Successful Failure √

Reason(s) for success/failure: Active participation of the community in biophysical monitoring program as support mechanism on the post-release is being encouraged. Political will and regular patrolling of the members of Community Monitoring Group reduced the possibility of accidental fishery by-catch. The increased fish productivity is attributed to reduced fishing pressure (direct effect) because the presence of crocodiles discouraged the locals to fish intensively. This could have lead to the recovery of fish stocks, providing food for both crocodiles and human community. The capacities of local People’s Organization towards sustainable management of their wetland resources are currently being improved. They are developing their skills for the implementation of community-based ecotourism. Local government has fully supported the implementation of the community- based sustainable ecological tourism for conservation of the habitat and the crocodiles.

References Diesmos, A.C., Guinto, F.M., Manalo, R.I. & Mercado, V.P. (2012) Philippine Crocodile Crocodylus mindorensis (Schmidt) release program in Siargao Island Protected Landscape and Seascape. Project proposal. Crocodylus Porosus Philippines, Inc. Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Silliman University - Angelo King Center for Research and Environmental Management, and National Museum of the Philippines.

Mercado, V.P., Alcala, A.C., Belo, W.T., Manalo, R.I., Diesmos, A.C. & De Leon, J. (2013) Soft release introduction of the Philippine Crocodile (Crocodylus mindorensis, Schmidt 1935) In Paghongawan Marsh, Siargao Island Protected Landscape and Seascape, Southern Philippines. Crocodile Specialist Group Newsletter 32(1): 13-15.

Bucol, A.A., Aspilla, P.S., Dipaling, C.P., Manalo, R.I., Baltazar, P.C., Alcala, A.C., Mercado, V.P., Belo, W.T. & Chan, S.S. (2013) Status of the Introduced Philippine Crocodiles (Crocodylus mindorensis) in Paghongawan Marsh, Siargao Island, Philippines. Crocodile Specialist Group Newsletter 32(3): 20-22.

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