The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-SOCCSKSARGEN (DENR-12) has launched an investigation into the alleged sighting of a crocodile in the waters off Minanga in Buayan, General Santos City.

DENR-12 said local fisherfolk have raised concerns after a fisherman captured footages of a crocodile on August 27 and September 1, 2024 while heading home from the fish port.

The Protected Area Management Office of Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape (PAMO-SBPS) and the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) led the probe as it is essential to confirm the crocodile sightings to avoid undue alarm among residents in the coastal areas.

“We are currently assessing whether the area is a natural habitat for the crocodile then we will do the appropriate measures,” SBPS Protected Area Superintendent, Cirilo Lagnason Jr., said.

CENRO also urged the public to be vigilant and avoid any encounter with the crocodile.

“If the area is confirmed as the reptile’s natural habitat, there is a need for a conservation program to protect the species,” CENR Officer, Elmer Mercado, added.

Crocodile porosus or saltwater crocodiles are classified as critically endangered species, based on the national list of threatened Philippine fauna and their categories.

“They inhabit a variety of wetland environments, from marine settings like tidal rivers and offshore islands to non-tidal freshwater rivers, lakes, swamps, and marshes,” DENR-12 said.

“Despite their name, Saltwater Crocodiles are well-adapted to freshwater habitats, where they often have high population densities. As apex predators, they have a diverse diet and may even prey on humans when the opportunity arises. While their populations remain stable in some regions, they are significantly reduced in the Philippines, where only a few small groups and notable populations exist,” DENR-12 added.