Philippine Crocodile by artists Gillie and Marc

LOCATIONS

EDITION 1 - SINGAPORE - 19 May 2023 - 18 May 2024
Gardens By The Bay, 18 Marina Gardens Dr, Singapore 018953
Visit the sculpture, click for map >

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NAME
Rea

TITLE
Love The Philippine Crocodile

GENDER
Female

AGE
7

FOUND
Philippines

CONSERVATION STATUS
Critically Endangered

This 7-year-old crocodile is on a mission. She’s on a mission to show the world that not all crocodiles are interested in eating people, she much prefers the taste of fish! She is very thoughtful when it comes to food, eating what is good for her river ecosystem and helping to give back as many nutrients as she can. She wishes that people could see this and stop killing her friends in fear. She hopes her message gets through soon, there’s only 100 left of them…

The most endangered species of crocodile, the Philippine croc was once found all over the Philippines. Now it can only be found on a few islands and is in need of immediate conservation. They live on estuarine and coastal shores and swim in freshwater ponds, marshes, and small rivers. Being cold-blooded, these crocodiles spend their days resting in the sun to warm themselves up. When they get too hot, they open their mouths to release the heat. Loving the relaxing life, they also eat stones which help with buoyancy, weighing them down and allowing them to float across the surface of the water.

Philippine crocodiles are very important for the health of their ecosystem. They mostly prey on sick fish as well as common fish, therefore removing unhealthy fish and keeping populations in check. Their stool is also very nutritious for the fish, containing important chemicals. Their teeth are very special. They have between 66-68 which regularly fall out, however with each lost tooth there is a brand new one to take its place.

Crocodiles lay eggs. The Philippine crocodile will lay up to 3 clutches of eggs each year with as many as 7-33 eggs in each clutch. The females will dig a hole  or build a mounded nest made up of leaves, twigs, and soil to hide their eggs. When the eggs hatch, both parents take turns watching the nest, a trait not recognised in other crocodile species. There is also evidence that the sex of it's baby may be affected by temperature of the egg. 

With an estimated population of just 100, the Philippine crocodile is considered to be the most threatened species of crocodile in the world. Despite its critically endangered status, not much is known about its ecology or relationship with other Philippine crocodile species, the "saltwater crocodile", whose range it overlaps with. Initially, the largest threat was commercial exploitation for meat, leather and hunting. However, today it's habitat destruction that is posing the largest threat to these animals. As humans expand and clear areas for their own communities, the already small population of the crocodile is becoming smaller. They are then killed by local people who may feel threatened, particularly if they are near the territory of crocodile that has been known to eat people.

HOW TO HELP 

Inspired by animals that Gillie and Marc met on their travels, we invite the public to discover and interact with these beautiful creatures up close and personal – this allows audiences to connect, take photographs and share their favourite species with friends and family.

With more exposure comes more awareness and builds on the love we already have for animals around the world. With love comes a greater sense of urgency to create a change and save all endangered animals. 

​The sculpture will be aligned with the hashtag #LoveTheLast to raise unparalleled awareness about the sculpture’s cause across the globe.

To help protect these animals, please donate to the WWF: https://www.wwf.sg/

PARTNER