Buwaya

The photos above were taken during my trip to the Crocodile Farm and Nature Park in Puerto Princesa, Palawan. Located in Barangay Irawan, the farm is a joint venture between the Philippine and Japanese governments. The idea is to breed the animals in captivity and eventually harvest them for the meat, skin, and whatever a crocodile has that is valuable. There is a fifteen minute film-showing followed by a tour around the area where you can see the crocodiles in various age. You can even hold a young crocodile for posterity for just a minimum fee. The museum needed a little work done on its displays, but it did have the skeletal remains of the largest crocodile caught in the Philippines.



Crocodiles are feared for their ugly and scary appearance but the fact remains that they are very useful animals. Their skin (known as hide) are used to make bags, belts, shoes, wallets, purses, clothes and other accessories. Their skeletons and bones are used as jewelries and other souvenir items. While crocodile meat has found itself in specialty restaurants all over the world.

Now, if only their counterparts in the Government could be that useful.