Wednesday, July 04, 2007 Siargao execs want return of crocodile By Ben Serrano
DEL CARMEN, Siargao island -- Newly sworn in elective officials headed by Siargao Island Representative Francisco Tinio Matugas (Padajon Surigao-Kampi, 1st District-Surigao del Norte) recently said they wanted more than 18-feet long giant crocodile "Kibol" back in this town.
Matugas said he wanted the giant crocodile returned to this town where it was taken away in 1992 by then House Speaker Ramon Mitra for his crocodile farm in Palawan.
The giant crocodile known for its notoriety by attacking livestock such as pigs, chickens and even people especially when hungry was named "Kibol" (meaning "Putol” in Tagalog) by local residents here due to its cut giant tail. Reportedly, a local fisherman stabbed its tail when the giant crocodile tried to attack him.
Natives of this town claimed that Kibol allegedly ate 20 people, but admitted they were all unrecorded since the attacks against humans were sporadic since 1960s.
Saltwater crocodile species are abundant at the 4,000 hectares mangrove here and it can also be found in Australia.
There are two types of crocodiles in Australia - saltwater and freshwater. The freshwater crocodiles are smaller, with pointed snouts and pose little danger to humans.
Saltwater crocodiles grow over 20 feet long and are often found in freshwater rivers and streams.
People first became familiar with Australia's crocodiles when the movie "Crocodile Dundee" was shown.
Meanwhile, Del Carmen Municipal Councilor Rolo Escuyos, who was in office when "Kibol" was airlifted by chopper to Mitra's crocodile farm in Palawan in 1992, said they never had any official information about the crocodile since then.
Escuyos, who supports bringing Kibol back, said the giant crocodile measured more than 18 feet long and 32 inches in body width and was considered the biggest crocodile found in the country so far during that time.
Escuyos and village Chairman Armando Buco of Santa Paza said many foreigners, mostly researchers, made a survey at the 4,000 hectares mangrove here where saltwater crocodile species are found.
Giant crocodiles like the endangered "sea crocodile species" are rare among species of crocodiles.
On the other hand, Matugas said if "Kibol" is already too old to be returned, he wanted at least two siblings of the creature brought back.
Matugas said he plans to build a sanctuary for Kibol and make the 4,000 hectares mangrove in Del Carmen, a protected area.
"Del Carmen will not only be a major local and foreign tourist destination here in Siargao Island, it will also show our concern for the environment on how we protect ecosystems by preserving marine life," Matugas said.
