We now come to my favorite part of the city tour. The place is actually called the Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center, but it is popularly known as the Crocodile Farm because of its most famous tenants. Seeing the Crocodiles was the second thing I was looking forward to for this Palawan and I wasn’t disappointed.
On the contrary, it was even better than I imagined because I got to do more than just see the Crocodiles, I was able to hold one in my own hands. Not only that, but I also got the opportunity to have a Bearcat stand on my arm. And to top it all off, I ate the best Sisig I have ever had in my entire life.
Table of Contents
Background
The Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center, or PWRCC, was established back in 1987 with the assistance of the Japan International Cooperative Agency. Back then, it was called the Crocodile Farming Institute and is still popularly known as the Crocodile Farm today.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau, or DENR-PAWB, is in charge of running the center up to today.
Baby Crocodiles
It was initially established to conserve two endangered crocodiles. The first is the Crocodylus Mindorensis, which is a freshwater species that is critically endangered. The second is the Crocodylus Porosus, which is the saltwater variety that is also found in the Philippines. The center can hold as many as 4,000 Crocodiles.
Since then, it has expanded its mandate to handle the conservation of other animals that are found in Palawan.
Everyone that enters the center is given a background of the center as well as a rundown of the different in the facility. Right before the tour of the Crocodiles takes place, we were informed that the animals we see are all on the endangered species list.
And based on the law, specifically Republic Act 9147, Section 27, E.F, it is against the law to trade, collect, hunt, or possess this type of wildlife with a government permit. This includes their by-products and derivatives. If you get caught, we tourists, such as myself will look forward to see you being used as Crocodile Food during feeding time on Thursdays.
[Okay, so maybe you won’t end up as food, but you will end up in jail…]
Crocodiles
Before we dive into the Crocodile tour, one question first… Did you know that the Philippines has the longest Crocodile as of today? Yup, nicknamed Lolong, this mean saltwater Crocodile is 6.17 meters, or 20 feet 3 inches long. It took three weeks to track him down and finally capture him in the province of Agusan del Sur on September 3, 2011.
Crocodile Skeleton
Unfortunately, Lolong does not reside in the PWRCC so we didn’t have a chance to gaze at him. However, we did get the next best thing. I understand that several years ago, another record holder was captured in the Philippines. Its skeleton and skin is on display at the lobby to help remind us why Crocodiles have survived millions of years.
[And while it may not look like it in the picture, but this thing is really, really biiiiiiiig!]
Our tour started with a corridor of pictures that the center is currently working to conserve. Many can be viewed but others are kept away from people for their safety.
Baby Crocodiles
The next stop was the Hatchling House, where they take care of all the baby Crocodiles.
[Aww, they’re so cute, you just wanna hold them.]
Ah, but then if you give in to that feeling, you may end up missing a finger. Yup, these babies may look like tiny versions of their parents but they are every inch as aggressive as daddy and mommy. And since the Crocodile is more aggressive than the alligator and the Crocodylus Porosus, or saltwater Crocodile, is the meanest one there is, you just might end up losing more than one finger.
As you walk around the dozens of small pens, you will see signs reminding you to keep your body away from the holding pens. And you need to do all you can to resist that urge and keep repeating to yourself that they’re mean little critters.
Crocodile Viewing
Next stop were the two big holding pens of daddy and mommy Crocodile.
You know, seeing Crocodiles on television is an interesting experience. From the comfort of one’s living room, you get to see them up close and personal but never really understand how big they are or how they look based on your wider view of the surrounding area.
Well even being several feet up on a walkway, these things do look huge. And from the stories I hear of family members, they are wickedly fast and can jump really high.
My brother was fortunate enough to be present during feeding time when he visited Puerto Princesa. He even was able to dangle some food before a Crocodile decided he wanted it bad enough to jump for it. Needless to say, people on the walkway released a collective scream right before getting splashed with water.
[Oh, and the liquid that splashed wasn’t just water.]
Moving on, there was a pen with a single Crocodile that was stationary underwater. I guess he was kind of hot because he positioned his nose close to a hose that was pumping out a steady stream of cool water.
Crocodiles
As our guide wrapped up by saying the tour ended with the walkway, I couldn’t help but feel slightly disappointed. Don’t get me wrong, seeing full-sized Crocodiles and their hatchlings was great. It’s just that it felt like I needed more.
So, when our guide said that we are free to roam around the center, it lifted my spirits once more. Like I said before, this facility has grown to handle other animals, not just Crocodiles. So that meant there were other sights to see.
Now taking pictures of the Crocodiles in their pens was great, but the end of the tour meant that I could actually pose with a live one in my hands.
Holding a Crocodile
Yup, there are small booths by the entrance that allow you to gently handle a young Crocodile for picture. To prevent them from biting your face off, their snouts are tied.
So, what did they feel like? Actually, the skin was soft and supple. One thing I did notice was that the skin was cool to the touch.
The one I held was very well behaved. But even if it didn’t thrash about, I could feel the power it had as I held it.
[Don’t worry, no Crocs were harmed during the taking of these pictures.]
Finally, if you want something more than the regular tour, just talk to any PWRCC representative for an extended one. Depending on your preference and available time, you can get a customized tour to cover everything your curiosity desires.
Bearcat
With the Crocodile tour over, we were free to walk around the facility. One of the first sights we came across was the house of the Bearcat. Unfortunately, it was right after lunch, so the heat was at its peak. And though it was still cool, it apparently wasn’t cool enough for the Bearcat as it was sleeping.
Bearcat House
The kid beside tried to wake it up but was chided by his dad not to disturb the slumbering animal. I was a bit relieved as I don’t really know what disposition they have. For all I knew, they were as snarly as a Wolverine then it would be curtains for us.
But not seeing it move around was quite disappointing so my wife and I continued walking around the center, looking for other animals.
Then we came across the picture booth. And wouldn’t you know it; there was a Bearcat there, ready to have its picture taken with yours truly. My wife wasn’t too keen on the idea of having it hop on her because it looked really mean. And wild ones do have a reputation with local farmers.
Bearcat
Now I’m not one to shy away from an interesting picture, but one look at those claws and I felt a momentary period of hesitation before extending my arm for her to jump on. And when she jumped on me, I was as stiff as a board with tension. But after he hopped on me, I breathed easy and realized three things.
First of all, its hair was surprisingly coarse. I was expecting something as soft and fluffy as a Golden Retriever, but this was closer to the hair of a redhead who has been swimming in chlorinated pool water all day. I mean it was kind of stringy but not abrasive like a steel wool.
Bearcat Perhced on a Shoulder
Second was that the Bearcat was so light. A Golden Retriever of the same size would have you wheezing as you try lifting it off the ground using your entire body. But this thing was on my arm, specifically stretched out to my elbow, and it didn’t feel like I was going to tip over.
The third was that its tail didn’t choke the air out of me. As part of its balancing act on my arm, it gently wrapped its tail around my neck. But instead of strangling me, it just coiled around the base without actually touching my throat.
Heck, this Bearcat was gentler than any pet I’ve ever had; I wanted to take it home with me!
[Now if only I can find a plot of land with enough food for it.]
Other Animals
Monkey-eating Eagle
As you walk around the center, you will also find other animals. During our stay, we came across a Bearcat, an Eagle, and several snakes. I also understand that there was a Bearded Pig, Mynah, Peacock Pheasant, Hornbill, Ostrich, turtle, and monkeys within the grounds.
Unfortunately, we weren’t able to go around completely because there were a lot of mosquitos using us as food to go while we walked around. And since the center was huge, there were quite a bit attracted to us because we didn’t bring any insect repellant.
The good news is that you don’t need the repellent if you will just look at the Crocodiles and the Bearcat. You will need it if you decide to delve deeper into the center, though.
Sisig
Sisig is one of the delicacies everyone must try in the Philippines. It is the perfect pulutan, or finger food, to pair with an ice-cold beer at the end of the day. It is traditionally eaten after mixing Knorr Seasoning and hot sauce while it is still crackling on a hot plate. It is so popular that people treat it as a main dish and serve it with rice today.
[For traditional beer drinkers, taking it with rice and not beer is kind of heretical.]
Wildlife Path
The basic, and probably most famous type, is Pork Sisig. But over the years local chefs have come up with other types of Sisig like the ones made of Chicken and even fish. I’ve even come across one made out of Soy.
[Sheesh! The thought of Soy Sisig just sends shivers up my spine because it sounds so… healthy.]
But of all the types of Sisig I have tasted, the best is the Crocodile Sisig I had at the Crocodile Farm. At PhP 160 per order, it is a bargain. In restaurants in Puerto Princesa, it’s a whopping PhP 360 per order. And if you are lucky enough to find it outside Palawan, it will be a lot more.
I only got one pack when I visited the farm and regret it to this very day. Since this thing could’ve been stored in our refrigerator’s freezer at Kawayanan Resort, I should’ve stocked up on it.
If you’ll be visiting the Crocodile Farm, I strongly suggest trying it out and getting yourself several packs to take home with you. Not only will your drinking buddies owe you their souls, your family will love it too.
Final Thoughts
Adults are charged PhP 40, while kids are charged PhP 20 to enter the facility. If your visit is part of a city tour, it will most likely be covered by the tour fee so you don’t need to worry about it.
Souvenir Shop
Before ending this article, I just realized that I’m a sucker for souvenirs. I know, I know, some people will say that getting that replica of the building or a t-shirt with generic words or a mug with the cheesy picture is a waste of money, but I just gotta get something. Part of the reason is because I want something to remind me of the place and the other part is to help the community behind it.
Thanks to modern technology, my favorite souvenir today are pictures. Sure, I can take my own pictures, like what I did with the Crocodiles and the Bearcat. And the people at the Crocodile Farm were even nice enough to be the ones taking pictures of me with my camera, even if it may mean losing some business.
But my pictures somehow don’t compare to the ones they had of us. Not only are their pictures printed while you wait, they come with the Crocodile Farm logo, some Crocodile graphics, and even the date. Of all the pictures I have, these are the only ones displayed at home for guests to view because the total resulting package looks really good.
Well, that’s it for me. Please join us for the last leg of our city tour, which is shopping at Cora’s.
Till next time, keep your cameras ready, your eyes peeled, and your minds open. You never know where your next adventure will take you!
Must Do’s
- Bring insect repellent.
- Get your pictures taken with the Crocodile and Bearcat.
- Feed the Crocodiles, if you can.
- Walk around the center and check out the animals.
- Try the Sisig.
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