People and Crocodiles Sharing One Environment: An Analysis of Local Human Crocodile Conflict Management Strategies in the Philippines

Crocodile conservation in the Philippines has always been challenging especially when involving human-crocodile conflicts (HCC). This study determined the leading cause of conflicts, local practices, and management strategies that encourage coexistence. Verification of reported conflicts from 2000-2015 based on literature reviews involved correspondence, face-toface key informant interviews and focused group discussions. Community visits in 2015-2016 documented the local practices and management strategies addressing such conflicts. Results showed that human pressure in known crocodile habitats triggered the consequential events of 26 HCC cases that mostly occurred in the southern Philippines. The human need to access livelihoods has resulted in encroachment on crocodile habitat. In light of the growing human population, this competition for space is inevitable yet not all encounters end in conflicts. In some sites, mutual coexistence with crocodiles was possible by setting-up of a makeshift bridge or making use of cultural veneration and indigenous knowledge of crocodile behavior. Other management efforts, such as the removal of potential conflict animals, display of warning signs, advocacy campaign, and provision of alternative livelihood, have been the common responses of the government. The success or failure of these efforts can be inferred from the level of local knowledge and social acceptance of local communities as well as the number of crocodile conflicts in the locality.