ABW Sept 2017

PUERTO PRINCESA
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SAN VICENTE . EL NIDO
One of the resident
butterflies at the Eco
Garden
It is one of the most popular and most frequented
tourist destinations in the city. Formerly known
as the Butterfly Garden, this one of a kind
attraction continuously draws more and more
tourists to visit their place for an environmental
and a cultural experience. This ecological
garden promotes environmental awareness by
means of showcasing a variety of butterflies,
other insects and some other endemic and
endangered species. Inside the garden you can
find a diversity of flora and fauna. In the heart
of the butterfly garden is this wooden stand
which holds and showcases the different stages
of butterfly metamorphosis. Unfortunately
at the present time there are slightly fewer
butterflies in there now as compared to how
many butterflies they used to have there before.
It’s just sad that the butterflies are not that
many anymore and they’re not that big.
Philippine crocodiles, an endangered species
But in spite of that, you can still enjoy the
presence of the butterflies and the other insects
and animals in there. As there is a wide variety
of fauna added to the attractions of the Echo-
Garden are animals and insects like the stag
beetle, giant scorpions, geckos, stick insects,
turtles and baby saltwater crocodiles.
Palawan Wildlife Rescue and
Conservation Center
The Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation
Center is located south of Puerto Princesa city
center. As the park is too far for the tricycles to
go you will have to hire or ride a jeepney or a
multicab and is about 30 minutes to the south
of the city and a few short distance from the
Iwahig Penal Farm.
The Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation
Center was formerly known as the Crocodile
Farm and Nature Park, and is the sanctuary
of the Philippine Crocodile that is endemic to
the country, which is currently included in the
endangered species list and the conservation
center is trying to increase the numbers. As well
as crocodiles, the center also takes care of other
animals like ostriches and animals of Palawan like
the bearcat. Behind the entrance of the park, is
a sign greeting guests to the center. There is a
mini reservoir surrounded by a roadway just in
front of the main building. Situated in the hall
of the main building, you will see a skeleton of
a huge saltwater crocodile encased in a glass
chest, with the skin of this giant hanging on
the wall beside the crocodile skeleton. This
shows how big saltwater crocodiles can grow.
Evidently this particular crocodile was caught
somewhere on the island and was killed after it
devoured a child.
Displayed near the crocodile casing is the
skeleton of a sperm whale, the skeleton was
retrieved from a dead whale found on the shores
of Puerto Princesa. There is also a small museum
about crocodiles and other fossils.
Just a few meters from the main hall, is the
Hatchling House. Here, crocodiles are cared for
by the conservation center and are segregated
into different levels of maturity from egg to a
Evidently this particular
crocodile was caught
somewhere on the island
and was killed after it
devoured a child.
few months old. The hatchling house has a main
passage in the middle where visitors are allowed
to walk through and see the basins on each side
of the path that contain up to 15 to 20 crocodile
hatchlings. Further into the building, you will
see the older crocodile hatchlings. There is a
sign warning on guests to not extend any body
part into the basins as the baby crocs snap and
sometimes leap from the basin.
Outside near the hatchlings is a concrete
enclosure for the more mature crocodiles. There
is a metal path over the top of the enclosures
where visitors may walk across the top to
the other end. The enclosure is divided into
sections where some contain the huge saltwater
crocodiles. Then, there are two larger sections
that contain dozens of smaller adult crocodiles.
After the crocodile enclosures, visitors are also
able to view other animals that the center have
rescued and taking care of. There are also
ostriches, Philippine cockatoos and bearcats
housed at the center. Visitors to the center also
have an opportunity to have pictures taken with
the crocodiles of the center. For a small fee and
the assistance of center staff you may take hold
of a baby crocodile and have your picture taken.
Ugong Rock
Taking its name from the reverbariting echoing
sounds of the rocks and stalactites that is
produced when tapping the rocks is located in
the northern part of Puerto Princesa. Ugong
Kayak Racing in
Palompon
Skin and bones of
a huge crocodile on
display at the Center
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