Conservation Project for the Philippines crocodile

Ex situ conservation project
The Philippine crocodile is a species that has traditionally been mistreated by human populations with whom they share habitat, to the point of having been reduced to less than 200 specimens divided into small groups separated from each other which are distributed throughout a very limited area. For this reason, the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA), at the request of Amphibians and Reptiles Group (ARTAG), has declared the Philippine crocodile a priority species, and it is currently the species of crocodile recommended first for inclusion and maintenance in European collections.

The ultimate goal is to achieve a sufficient number of specimens such that the European population is sustainable. For now, most of the specimens arriving in recent years are too young to reproduce, but nothing indicates that they cannot do so in the near future. If so, the creation of a European Captive Breeding Program (EEP) is envisaged to manage the resulting population in the best way possible. However, it would be appropriate to import some more specimens to ensure the genetic viability of the European population. These animals should come, if possible, from a different wild population to the one to which those already in Europe belong.

In situ conservation project
There is currently in operation an in situ conservation project conservation in the North of Luzon Island, coordinated by Victoria Zoo Australia. European zoos which have this species in their collections have joined this project, with each contributing the sum of €1,500 annually.

Sponsors of Research and preservation of the Zoo: