Which critically endangered crocodile is endemic to the Philippines?

The Philippine crocodile is the critically endangered crocodile endemic to the Philippines. Its scientific name is Crocodylus mindorensis, and it is also called the Mindoro crocodile or Philippine freshwater crocodile.

This relatively small freshwater crocodilian has a broad snout and heavily armored back. It once occurred across more of the Philippine archipelago, but habitat destruction, persecution, unsustainable fishing practices, and accidental killing reduced it to scattered populations on islands including Luzon, Mindanao, and Siargao.

The species is often confused with the much larger saltwater crocodile, which also occurs in the Philippines. The Philippine crocodile is a separate species adapted mainly to freshwater habitats, while the saltwater crocodile can use coastal and brackish environments.

Conservation programs combine habitat protection, community education, captive breeding, and releases. The crocodile received national legal protection under the Philippines’ Wildlife Act in 2001. It remains one of the world’s most threatened crocodilians, with isolated populations especially vulnerable to further habitat and genetic losses.