Swallowed by a cayman : integrating cultural values in Philippine crocodile conservation

Ploeg, J. van der (2013)

Doctoral Thesis

The Philippine crocodile is a critically endangered species, endemic to the Philippine Islands. Indiscriminate hunting, the use of destructive fishing practices and the conversion of wetland habitat into rice fields continue to threaten the few remaining Philippine crocodile populations in the wild. This thesis describes the in-situ conservation efforts for the species in the northern Sierra Madre on Luzon by the Mabuwaya Foundation. Traditions, emotions and ethics form important reasons for rural communities in the northern Sierra Madre to support the conservation of the Philippine crocodile in their surroundings. But in contemporary conservation discourses such an argument is easily dismissed as hopelessly romantic, elitist or even irrational. In fact raising awareness, fostering pride and empowering rural communities to protect the resources they need and value is, in the end, a more pragmatic, pro-poor and rea listic strategy to mobilize local support for the protection of the Philippine crocodile than a narrow focus on generating economic incentives. Conservation efforts can be significantly strengthened if cultural and intrinsic values are taken into account. Pride, interest and respect offer the best hope for the survival of the Philippine crocodile in the 21st century.

• Decentralization
• Intrinsic values
• Community-based natural resource management
• Poverty allevation
• Governance
• Indigenous peoples
• Wildlife
• Environmental education
• Biodiversity
• Philippines

• All authors: Ploeg, J. van der
• Supervisor: Persoon, G.A.
• Qualification: Doctor (dr.)
• Awarding Institution: Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Leiden University
• Date: 2013-06-11
• ISBN (print): 9789082040920