EDITORIAL - Balancing needs

With a Guinness World Record recognition possible, it seems certain that “Lolong” the crocodile from the Agusan Marsh will live a long life free from the clutches of makers of shoes and bags. Whether the one-ton reptile will enjoy that life is another story. With his newfound celebrity, the rest of Lolong’s life is now likely to be spent entirely in captivity. After half a century of living in the wild, it is understandable that Lolong, now in the custody of conservationists, is reportedly showing symptoms of depression.

Agusan residents believe there could be a few thousand more crocodiles where Lolong came from, with at least one of them approximating his massive size. Lolong is suspected to have killed several people who went missing after venturing into the crocodile habitat, prompting residents to capture him. The fate of the reptile, which Guinness folks might declare as the world’s largest crocodile, highlights the dilemma facing advocates of preserving endangered wildlife. How do you balance the need to keep the public safe from natural predators and the need to protect endangered species in their habitat?

In some countries, communities most exposed to dangerous wildlife because they derive their livelihood from the animals’ habitat are encouraged to turn to ecotourism instead, making them stakeholders in protecting the environment. But in many other places particularly in developing countries, wildlife is simply eased out of natural habitats to make way for human activity. Thousands of species have disappeared from the planet as a result.

People around the Agusan Marsh are understandably worried that more crocodiles could endanger their lives. Lolong, named after a man who reportedly suffered a heart attack in the effort to capture the reptile, is also believed to have eaten a full-grown water buffalo. Agusan residents are opposing the return of the 21-foot-long reptile to the marsh. Experts must help decide the fate of Lolong and his habitat soon. A balance will have to be found between the needs of humans and wildlife.