The critically endangered Philippine crocodile (Crocodylus mindorensis) is the most severely threatened crocodile species on the planet. It is estimated that less than 100 individuals survive in the wild. This small freshwater species poses no threat to people unless provoked.

The Institute of Environmental Sciences of Leiden University (CML) has been working with Isabela State University, rural communities and local governments to protect the remaining Philippine crocodiles in Isabela Province on Luzon.  

Fifty (50) Philippine crocodiles have been released in Dicatian Lake on July 31, 2009 by the local community of Dicatian. This is the first reintroduction of captive-bred Philippine crocodiles back into the wild. It is a major step forward in the conservation of this endemic species. Dicatian Lake is situated in the Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park, the largest protected area of the country.

The Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center (PWRCC) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has been breeding the Philippine crocodile since 1987 with the goal to reintroduce it into the wild. But until now suitable release sites were lacking.

The coming months students of Leiden University and Isabela State University will intensively monitor the released crocodiles. This information will be used to replicate reintroductions of Philippine crocodiles elsewhere in the country.

We are looking for motivated graduate students who would like to conduct fieldwork in the Philippines and contribute to the conservation of the Philippine crocodile.