Beware! ‘Lolong’ turns up in SM MoA

By Jaimes R. C. Sumbilon

 
The mere thought or sight of crocodiles strikes fear in our hearts, especially in those of children. Their piercing gaze, leathery skin and sharp jaws are enough to stop us in our tracks.
In movies and books, they are portrayed as ferocious predators, killing people and threatening their livelihood and environment. In addition, crocodiles are used metaphorically as a label on crooked cops and corrupt politicians.
This perception has caused many to fear and hate these creatures that seem to have no right to co-exist with humans.

The real "Lolong"

For the record, crocodiles have existed before the human race dominated the entire world. They are remnants of the past and are said to be related to the dinosaurs that first appeared during the Eocene era, about 55 million years ago.
But now, the number of crocodiles has drastically decreased due to human activities. They are hunted for food and medicine or slaughtered for their thick skin used in making leather for shoes, belts, bags, wallets and furniture. Sometimes, crocodiles go on a rampage because of rampant deforestation that destroy their habitats and breeding grounds.
Apparently, time will come when crocodiles, like dinosaurs, will become extinct and can only be seen in books or movies if we can't stop their annihilation.
Efforts have been made to change our thinking about crocodiles and raise awareness of the importance of these reptiles to our environment.
There are crocodiles in captivity in protected areas or in zoos, where children can closely encounter  these creatures and personally interact with them by feeding them, taking pictures with them and observing their behavior.

  The life-sized, fiberglass replica of "Lolong,

The latest of such efforts was the launch by Nido Fortified Science Discover Center (NFSDC), in cooperation with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB), of the "Marsh Land and Crocodile Habitat Exhibit" at the Music Hall of SM Mall of Asia.
The main purpose of this exhibit is to publicize their campaign to conserve the marshlands, which serve as habitats for a wide range of flora and fauna, including the critically endangered crocodiles.
"The Marsh Land and Crocodile Habitat Exhibit is the newest, and by far, the biggest and most exciting attraction ever to be featured in the Nido Fortified Science Discovery Center," shared Arturo Carballo, senior operations manager of NFSDC. "In line with the ongoing advocacy of DENR-PAWB to preserve the Philippine marsh lands as a crocodile habitat, we are presenting our audiences with a new exhibit to enlighten them and give them a better understanding of Philippine crocodiles and other information about the ecosystem and biodiversity of the marshes they call home."
As a sort of mascot, the NFSDC unveiled a life-sized, fiberglass replica of "Lolong," recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's largest saltwater crocodile in captivity.
The real Lolong, an Indo-Pacific crocodile (Crocodylus porosus), was caught in a Bunawan creek last year and sheltered in an eco-park in Agusan del Sur. He is estimated to be more than 50 years old. The crocodile is named after Ernesto "Lolong" Goloran Cañete, one of the veteran crocodile hunters from the Palawan Crocodile and Wildlife Reservation Center who led the hunt.
What makes Lolong different from other captured crocodiles is its gigantic size. It measures 20-foot three-inch (6.17 meters) long, breaking the record of "Cassius Clay" of Queensland, Australia at 17 feet and 11.75 inches (5.48 meters). And take note, it took 100 people to take him out of the water.
Through this replica, children will be able to imagine the real Lolong and how big is the world's largest croc.

Children, including boy and girl scouts from 19 different public schools in Pasay, came to witness the unveiling of Lolong's replica. They were amazed by the size of Lolong; one scout whispered, "Wow, Lolong can swallow me whole!" while another wished, "We can all ride on the back of Lolong!"
This campaign was also supported by the Department of Science and Technology and the Science and Technology Information Institute. According to DoST-STII Director Raymund Liboro, interactive exhibits such as the ones presented at the NFSDC will encourage parents and children alike to learn more about science.
"DoST-STII is proud to join this effort by government agencies and the private sector to promote public awareness, understanding and appreciation of the importance of conserving marshlands serving as the habitat of various species," Liboro averred.

DoST-STII Director Raymund Liboro,

The event was just a part of the exciting line-up of new galleries that people can get an exclusive preview of in Discover the Science of Fun: A sneak peek to the new Nido Fortified Science.
Aside from the Lolong replica's presentation, the NFSDC boosted its "Discover the Science of Fun," which gave a glimpse of fresh new material NFSDC has in store for its re-launch in September. Covering a wide range of topics — from matter, chemistry and physics, to space science, transportation, marine life and more — the new galleries will be open at the event for kids and families to learn and experience in an interactive way.
"This time, we decided to hold an event that's packed with a series of exciting games, activities and awesome prizes for every kid to enjoy. Here, guests will get an exclusive preview of the brand new galleries for the upcoming launch of the new Nido Fortified Science Discovery Center," Carballo said.
The NFSDC also added interactive new galleries where children can combine fun and learning. Kids can conduct simple chemistry and physics experiments at the Science Matters Gallery and everyone can see how the wheels of transportation have turned through the years at the Transportation Nation Gallery. Other educational galleries offer fun discoveries and hands-on activities.

"We will feature exhibits that are completely different from what our visitors have seen in the last five years. Our new facilities are designed not only to sustain the kids' attention but to keep a high-level of engagement at all times," Carballo added.
Plans are afoot that the real Lolong would be taken to Manila, but they are deadlocked because various eco-organizations demand that the crocodile remain in its hometown.
Fortunately, through this life-sized replica, we have the chance to see to that famous crocodile in town.The Nido Fortified Science Discovery Center is on the Ground Floor of the Southside Entertainment Mall at the SM Mall of Asia. For more information, you may visit the NFSDC Web site, www.sciencediscovery.ph, and Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/NFSDC, or you may call (02) 556-0331 or (02) 556-2153. -- Jaimes R. C. Sumbilon