Giacomo d'Orlando

The Sierra Madre represents a vital ecosystem, containing the largest remaining tract of old-growth tropical rainforest in the Philippines. 

This forest area, which covers approximately 1.4 million hectares, constitutes 40% of the country's total forest cover.
The region is home to an impressive array of flora and fauna, representing approximately 45% of all documented species in the Philippines, with at least 58% being endemic. Among these species is the Philippine crocodile (Crocodylus mindorensis), which is considered the rarest crocodile on the planet.
It is estimated that a remnant population of approximately 100 crocodiles managed to escape the relentless hunt and survive to this day in the northern part of this rainforest in Luzon. As indicated by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, the Philippine crocodile is classified as critically endangered, which signifies the highest risk of extinction among species.

To put this in perspective, there are about 1,600 giant pandas and more than 3,000 tigers left in the wild - species that are emblematic of the global biodiversity crisis.

Before the Spanish colonization of the Philippines in 1565, crocodiles thrived in the rivers and streams of the Cagayan Valley, where indigenous communities lived in harmony with them. A symbol of this peaceful cohabitation are the Agta, a forest-dwelling ethnic group known as the earliest inhabitants of the Philippines, even before the Austronesian migrations. 

The crocodile, known as buwaya in Tagalog, is regarded as an ancestral figure and a benevolent symbol of physical strength, fertility and power. These ancestors called "anito", believed to live in a parallel world, often interpreted literally as an underwater village, were both revered and feared, as they could cause death and destruction if not given due respect. Spear fishermen have numerous anecdotes about their encounters with crocodiles in the water and how they are not afraid of these creatures, but instead ask them for permission to pass through their habitat and share the fish resources.

However, land privatization, mining and logging have reduced the livelihoods of the Agta, which has had a major impact on the stability of their population and the sustainability of their natural resource management, including the crocodile population. Rapid population growth, land scarcity in the lowlands and the construction of logging roads led to a massive migration of farmers from other regions, who in most cases converted secondary forests and swamps into agricultural fields and killed off the crocodiles. In combination, commercial hunting and the widespread use of electrofishing and unregulated nets to maximize fish catches have contributed to a significant decline in the Philippine crocodile population.

Despite the hopelessness of saving the Philippine crocodile, something changed in 1999. At that time, no information was available regarding the biology and ecology of the crocodile, as it had never been studied in its natural habitat. With the participation of indigenous communities, a group of Dutch-Filipino researchers conducted intensive surveys in all the tributaries and rivers of the Cagayan Valley, finding a few remaining specimens in San Mariano and its neighboring communities. This discovery led to the establishment of the Mabuwaya Foundation in 2003, with the aim of conserving the Philippine crocodile in its natural habitat in tandem with local and indigenous communities.

In the field, they operate under the guidelines of their "Head Start Program", where sanctuary guards collect hatchlings born in the wild and transport them to the Philippine Crocodile Conservation Center (PCCC), a rescue and breeding facility located on the campus of Isabela State University in San Mariano. There, the hatchlings are raised in captivity for at least two to three years until they are strong enough to be released into the wild. 

When the Head Start Program started, only one adult crocodile was observed in the wild.

The community-based approach to conservation has instilled newfound hope for the continued survival of the Philippine crocodile. 

The population recovery of this species serves as an important symbol of the value of engaging indigenous communities in environmental conservation initiatives. The present era may witness the extinction of numerous iconic species, which are facing threats from habitat loss and human population growth. This story offers an inspiring example of what can be achieved in the field of environmental and wildlife conservation. It demonstrates that, with dedication and commitment, we can succeed in protecting even the rarest and most endangered species, and that this success can pave the way for the protection of other vulnerable creatures.