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ABW Dec 2023-1

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is the sanctuary of the Philippine Crocodile that is endemic<br />

to the country, which is currently included in the endangered<br />

species list and the conservation center is trying to increase<br />

the numbers. As well as crocodiles, the center also takes care<br />

of other animals like ostriches and animals of Palawan like the<br />

bearcat. Behind the entrance of the park, is a sign greeting<br />

guests to the center. There is a mini reservoir surrounded<br />

by a roadway just in front of the main building. Situated in<br />

the hall of the main building, you will see a skeleton of a<br />

huge saltwater<br />

crocodile<br />

encased in a<br />

There is a sign warning<br />

on guests to not extend<br />

any body part into the<br />

basins as the baby crocs<br />

snap and sometimes leap<br />

from the basin.<br />

glass chest,<br />

with the skin<br />

of this giant<br />

hanging on<br />

the wall beside<br />

the crocodile<br />

skeleton. This<br />

shows how<br />

big saltwater<br />

crocodiles can grow. Evidently this particular crocodile<br />

was caught somewhere on the island and was killed after it<br />

devoured a child.<br />

Displayed near the crocodile casing is the skeleton of a<br />

sperm whale, the skeleton was retrieved from a dead whale<br />

found on the shores of Puerto Princesa. There is also a<br />

small museum about crocodiles and other fossils.<br />

Just a few meters from the main hall, is the Hatchling House.<br />

Here, crocodiles are cared for by the conservation center and<br />

are segregated into different levels of maturity from egg to<br />

a few months old. The hatchling house has a main passage<br />

in the middle where visitors are allowed to walk through and<br />

see the basins on each side of the path that contain up to 15<br />

to 20 crocodile hatchlings. Further into the building, you will<br />

see the older crocodile hatchlings. There is a sign warning on<br />

guests to not extend any body part into the basins as the<br />

baby crocs snap and sometimes leap from the basin.<br />

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