Malang the Crocodile Swims Free, Once Again

After Malang, a freshwater crocodile who was rumored to be the largest ever caught, was illegally trapped in Liguasan Marsh, PETA sent an urgent plea to Mlang Mayor Joselito Piñol asking him to release the reptile. Mayor Piñol quickly reassured us that the municipality never intended to keep Malang and that she would be released back into the marsh after veterinarians checked her health.

PETA thanks the local government of Mlang for taking a firm stance on wildlife protection and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for advocating the release of Malang and not allowing her to meet the same fate as the saltwater crocodile Lolong did. Lolong’s capture and subsequent exploitative confinement caused his untimely death. A necropsy found that he had died from late-stage pneumonia, cardiac failure, multiple organ failure, and non-adaptive stress response—all of which can be attributed to his captivity. In the wild, crocodiles spend hours swimming and can regulate the buoyancy and temperature of their bodies, which is called “thermo-regulation.” No enclosure—no matter how large—can provide crocodiles with everything that is natural and important to them.

Displaying a crocodile would not bring fame or honor to the Philippines or Cotabato. Keeping Malang in captivity would have shown only a lack of regard for animal welfare, and PETA applauds the city of Mlang for recognizing that.

Do you want to help crocodiles and all animals languishing in captivity? It’s as easy as never patronizing zoos and entertainment parks—take the pledge here.

Posted by Ashley Fruno