A man has died after being attacked by a Saltwater Crocodile, Crocodylus porosus. on Balabac Island in the Philippines on Monday 19 February 2018. The man, identified as Rebente Ladja, 37, was reported missing when he failed to return home after setting traps for Crabs in a Mangrove Forest near his home. A search party later found his remains close to a large Saltwater Crocodile, which is presumed to have killed and partially eaten him.
A Saltwater Crocodile, Crocodylus porosus.
This is the latest in a string of Crocodile attacks in the region, with five recorded attacks on Balabac Island since 2012, including a 12-year-old niece of Mr Ladja who is presumed dead after being dragged into the water by a Crocodile last year and never recovered.
The approximate location of the 19 February 2018 Balabac Crocodile attack. Google Maps.
Crocodile attacks on Humans are relatively rare, but they are
opportunistic ambush predators and will potentially attack anything
going close to the water. Saltwater Crocodiles have a particularly poor
reputation for such behaviour, being the largest species of Crocodile
and notoriously aggressive. These Crocodiles are one
of the few Crocodile species not considered vulnerable to extinction,
being found from India to Australia and inhabiting many areas that
Humans shun, such as Mangrove forests and islands without fresh water.
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