Post by admin on Jan 19, 2014 2:06:27 GMT 8
No new risk of crocodile attacks around swollen Agusan River
ANDREO CALONZO / GMA News
January 15, 2014
Unlike many humans, giant crocodiles know how to adjust to overflowing rivers and marshes, and will not be seen wandering around hungrily, local environment officials in Mindanao have assured the public.
The officials gave the assurance Wednesday particularly to residents living near the Agusan River, a crocodile habitat that overflowed in the past days due to rains brought by a low pressure area (LPA) off Mindanao.
In a phone interview, Ana Maria Gunay of the Agusan Marsh Protected Area regional office said crocodiles “know the dynamics of the river” and are unlikely to be swept away by strong currents to residential areas.
“Hindi naman sila basta-basta tatangayin ng currents,” Gunay said. “'Yung may inaatake ng crocodiles sa communities during flooding season, that's unheard of in the past.”
No crocodile sightings have also been reported so far despite the swelling of the Agusan River, Agusan Marsh Protected Area superintendent Rufino Miranda said in a separate phone interview.
“Wala namang epekto itong pag-overflow ng river sa kanila [crocodiles]... Kapag tumataas ang tubig, lumalagpas lang sila doon sa area nila, pero hindi naman sila aatake kung hindi ka naman gumagala doon sa gabi,” he said.
Miranda said his office will visit areas near the river in the coming days to remind residents to continue following safety precautions to avoid crocodile attacks.
Rains brought by the LPA caused the Agusan River to overflow during the past days. Floods and landslides triggered by the LPA have so far claimed the lives of 24 people in parts of Mindanao, based on the latest government tally.
The Agusan Marsh, a protected area found at the heart of the Agusan River Basin, is a major habitat of Philippine crocodiles. "Lolong," the world's largest crocodile in captivity until its death February last year, was captured in the area. — KBK/HS, GMA News
Source: www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/343929/news/regions/no-new-risk-of-crocodile-attacks-around-swollen-agusan-river
ANDREO CALONZO / GMA News
January 15, 2014
Unlike many humans, giant crocodiles know how to adjust to overflowing rivers and marshes, and will not be seen wandering around hungrily, local environment officials in Mindanao have assured the public.
The officials gave the assurance Wednesday particularly to residents living near the Agusan River, a crocodile habitat that overflowed in the past days due to rains brought by a low pressure area (LPA) off Mindanao.
In a phone interview, Ana Maria Gunay of the Agusan Marsh Protected Area regional office said crocodiles “know the dynamics of the river” and are unlikely to be swept away by strong currents to residential areas.
“Hindi naman sila basta-basta tatangayin ng currents,” Gunay said. “'Yung may inaatake ng crocodiles sa communities during flooding season, that's unheard of in the past.”
No crocodile sightings have also been reported so far despite the swelling of the Agusan River, Agusan Marsh Protected Area superintendent Rufino Miranda said in a separate phone interview.
“Wala namang epekto itong pag-overflow ng river sa kanila [crocodiles]... Kapag tumataas ang tubig, lumalagpas lang sila doon sa area nila, pero hindi naman sila aatake kung hindi ka naman gumagala doon sa gabi,” he said.
Miranda said his office will visit areas near the river in the coming days to remind residents to continue following safety precautions to avoid crocodile attacks.
Rains brought by the LPA caused the Agusan River to overflow during the past days. Floods and landslides triggered by the LPA have so far claimed the lives of 24 people in parts of Mindanao, based on the latest government tally.
The Agusan Marsh, a protected area found at the heart of the Agusan River Basin, is a major habitat of Philippine crocodiles. "Lolong," the world's largest crocodile in captivity until its death February last year, was captured in the area. — KBK/HS, GMA News
Source: www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/343929/news/regions/no-new-risk-of-crocodile-attacks-around-swollen-agusan-river