Our first entry in this blog is our trip to Crocolandia in Talisay City, Cebu.  We arrived at the place via SRP, left turn to San Isidro St. and right turn to Burgos St. at around 10:00 in the morning.  We stayed at the park for about an hour and a half, enjoying each view and nature’s wonders.  My kids were delighted as this was their first time to see a crocodile. 🙂

The main feature here are, of course, the crocs.  It will be the first thing you will see if you are to follow the tour route.  Here (photo above) is a large crocodile who seems to be sleeping.  My daughter, Rei, was very afraid of the large beast at first and she no longer wants to continue with the tour.  But seeing that the croc was not moving, even if she calls and shouts at it, she’s convinced that these animals are not scary, and they are also deaf according to my 3-year-old. hehehe…  Above is also a replica of a small crocodile and my little son, Sai, is very afraid of it, not wanting to touch it or even look at it. 🙂

Aside from crocodiles, a lot of animals are also there.  Here is a Burmese Python.  It is one of the largest of all snakes growing up to 25 feet.  Of course I touched it!  And it felt like rubber, shiny plastic.  Just like the toy snakes in toy stores, and I’m trying to convince myself that they are not scary, and maybe deaf too. hehehe…

There are also birds, of different sizes and colors, lots of them.  I did not took a photo of every one of them but the ones I remembered were a cockatoo, parrots (picoy), hornbill (talusi), the one we call tuhek (also a hornbill), kalaw (still a hornbill), and lots of hornbills and other kinds of birds.

There was also a big Tortoise and a bigger Tortoise.  (I love seeing them walk, really slow… It’s like I want to carry them to where they want to go. But I know they are just taking their time, taking life easy.) There are also Peafowls (Pabo), Philippine brown deer, tarsier, iguanas, wild boars, Philippine eagles, and a whole lot to mention.  The crocs are actually outnumbered here. It’s like a mini zoo.

A lot of trivial and informative illustrations are drawn in big boards around the park’s main hall.

And this is the park’s main hall. You can stay inside this covered area specially when you happened to visit on a rainy day. This is where the snakes and some of the birds are being kept.

The place is great, quiet, nice to hear the birds singing and doing some bird voices that helps you relax.

The area is big, cages are spacious. Pathways are also spacious. Here is my daughter enjoying the tour.  The trees are also properly labeled with names and you will realize how many there are, of different kinds.

They also have a play area for the kids, seesaw, swing, and slides. Canteen and souvenir shops as well.  My son here is begging me to buy the green toy croc. But it’s P200 baby! Lets just buy some food and take a photo of that toy so you can see it anytime you want. Tipid mode. hehehe…

Our tour in Crocolandia has now come to an end.  Time to say goodbye.  My kids love the place and they had a wonderful time with all the animals.  See you next time!

 

Park’s Operating Hours: 8:00am-5:00pm

Entrance fee: P100 for Adults and P50 for Kids 3-12 yrs old

 

The Tale of Crocolandia

Crocolandia is dedicated to conserving and propagating nature and wildlife. It is designed to serve as a haven where man can commune with nature in the most intimate way possible. Years ago, this piece of land was a turtle farm, until one day, it became home for Magellan, a four-foot, five-year old crocodile who later surprised everyone by laying an egg, revealing her true gender. As a pet of a family of animal lovers, Magellan was quickly given a mate, aptly named Lapulapu, and from then on, Magellan and Lapulapu became a constant source of joy to those who cared for them as they produced many healthy offsprings that later made families of their own, increasing the population of their kind. Soon after, other animals, like monitor lizards, snakes and the likes were brought to the farm, where they have been kept well and become happy creatures of nature living in their own little world. Inspired by the succesful growth of the farm’s population, owner of the farm, Mr. Go Ching Hai, his family and dedicated friends decided to share their animal loving hobby with the rest of Cebu. Hence, the founding of Crocolandia.

Crocolandia Foundation, Inc. is committed to its mission in providing a home for nature’s neglected populace. The foundation will also endeavor to enlighten the community through awareness and information, important parts about nature which will eventually help them preserve and conserve their environment. Crocolandia will be a shoulder of the proper care and attention that animals and plants should have and deserve because Crocolandia believes that the planet earth is meant to be shared with these living things which are God’s creation as well.

And here, we met Lapulapu. I forgot to look for the famous Magellan. I am not sure though if he is still around (or rather, She). Lapulapu is Crocolandia’s Pride. The largest, the oldest croc in the park. Over 1,000 kilogram and more than 15 feet tall. Living more than 50 years. I am glad my kids still met you. Hope you will still be around when we come back! Thanks Crocolandia!