BALABAC, Palawan — Authorities have successfully captured a massive crocodile in the waters of Barangay Sebaring, Balabac, Palawan, which is believed to have attacked a local fisherman on January 16, 2026.

The Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Staff (PCSDS) reported that the crocodile measured 10.9 feet in length, qualifying it as a potential threat to human safety and meeting the criteria for removal from its natural habitat. Following its capture, the reptile was transferred to the Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center (PWRCC) in Puerto Princesa City, where it will undergo close monitoring and proper care.

The capture operation was complex and dangerous, taking seven days to successfully lure the crocodile into traps. Experts emphasized that crocodile extraction is a delicate task that should only be handled by trained and authorized personnel from PCSDS and PWRCC, due to the high risk involved. This incident underscores the growing challenges of human-wildlife coexistence in areas where communities live near natural habitats. While the removal of dangerous wildlife protects human lives, it also raises questions about ecological balance and conservation: How can local governments and conservation authorities safeguard both human communities and wildlife populations while minimizing conflict? Are there sustainable strategies to prevent such encounters in the future without harming biodiversity? (Larawan mula sa: Palawan Council for Sustainable Development / Facebook)