Crocolandia

CEBU, Philippines - If you live in Cebu City, verdant greens and exotic animals are sights you don't get to see much of - unless you're constantly on YouTube viewing videos of plant and wildlife documentaries.

But what if you were told that there is a place in the metro where you can view exotic animals and plants without any video buffering involved? Would you continue adding wildlife videos to your playlist queue, or would you stop being plugged to the wall and head down to the place?

If you're more inclined to see wild animals and exotic plants for yourself, then you'd best be on your way to "Crocolandia" - a nature conservation center located in Talisay City.

Roughly an hour away from the hustle and bustle of Cebu City, "Crocolandia" holds the distinction of being the first of its kind in the province. Locals popularly refer to it as a "mini-zoo" or the "Talisay zoo."

Located in Biasong, Talisay City, its most famous resident is a crocodile named "Lapu-Lapu," which measures more than 15 feet, weighs more than 1,000 kilos. Given its immense size, this more than 50 years old animal is undoubtedly one of the largest crocodiles in captivity.

With such a "star" and with more than 20 crocs under its care, it's easy to figure out now Crocolandia got its name.

But there's actually more to "Crocolandia" than crocodiles. The center is also home to a variety of exotic birds, lizards and snakes; as well as exotic mammals like civets, wild pigs and species of deer.

More than its bird and animal residents, the center also has gardens, fishponds, a playground and an educational display, with different species of flora, fauna and trees as backdrop.

Crocolandia is an ideal nature conservation center, where kids and kids-at-heart get to learn more about biodiversity and the wonders of nature - a place where nature truly comes alive - not merely a digital image on the internet. The center is run by the Crocolandia Foundation Inc., and has been teaching children and whole families about nature and wildlife since 2001. (FREEMAN)