SAN FELIPE, Zambales (August 2, 2026) — Four saltwater crocodiles were turned over to local accredited wildlife rescue centers by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) following separate rescues in Zambales and Pampanga over the weekend.

Three of the crocodiles were first taken from the El Zamba Resort at Sitio Liwliwa, San Felipe, Zambales on Friday, July 31, said Edward Sernadilla, head of the DENR Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in Olongapo City.

The extraction was conducted by the provincial and community offices of the DENR, assisted by El Zamba Resort management and wildlife specialists from Zoobic Safari, a wildlife park in the Subic Bay Freeport.

Sernadilla said the rescued reptiles will undergo comprehensive veterinary assessment, receive specialized medical care, and be placed under long-term management at Zoobic Safari, which has a secure facility designed for large reptiles.

The fourth reptile was safely secured by the DENR on Saturday, August 1, at Barangay San Agustin, Magalang, Pampanga, following a tip from a concerned citizen of its existence.

The Wildlife and Water Resources Management Section and the Forest Protection, Surveillance and Intelligence Section of the DENR provincial office in Pampanga conducted the rescue in coordination with San Agustin village officials.

Roger Encarnacion, Pampanga DENR provincial head, reported that the crocodile measured approximately 3.10 meters in length and was assessed to be in good condition.

It was later transported and turned over to the Global Zoo and Theme Park Alliance Inc., an accredited wildlife rescue center in the Clark Freeport, where it will also get veterinary assessment, proper care, and rehabilitation in accordance with established wildlife conservation standards, Encarnacion said.

The saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) is regarded to be the largest living reptile on Earth, with the bigger males reaching up to 1,000-1,500 kilograms in weight and up to 6 meters in length.

A native to saltwater habitats, brackish wetlands, and freshwater rivers across Southeast Asia, the saltwater crocodile has been listed since 1996 as of “least concern” on the Red List of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

The DENR said, however, that it remains a protected species under Republic Act No. 9147, or the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act, which promotes the conservation and protection of the country’s native wildlife species and their habitats, and strictly regulates the possession, transport, and maintenance of wildlife.

Following the crocodile rescues, DENR Regional Executive Director Ralph Pablo reminded the public that wild animals should never be captured, harmed, or kept as pets, and emphasized that only trained personnel are equipped to respond safely to wildlife encounters.

“We encourage everyone to immediately report sightings of wild animals to the nearest DENR office or local government authorities. Timely reporting enables us to take the appropriate action while ensuring the safety of both the public and the wildlife,” Pablo added. ▲