Davao Crocodile Park

Considered as one of the finest tourist attractions in Davao, Philippines, Davao Crocodile Park boasts thousands of its self-nurtured Crocodiles as well as a wide variety of flora and fauna. It is a home to the tamed wildlife beasts which are nourished and given world-class care. Davao Crocodile Park boasts its one of a kind zoo which housed different animals such as crocodiles, birds, snakes, monkeys among many others.

The Davao Crocodile Park all started from the enchantment of the owner, Mr. Philip Dizon, to Freshwater and Saltwater Crocodiles. It was not in his mind that this is a moneymaking business until he realized that crocodiles are raised in the United States of America not just for public viewing but for production of leather to be made into bags, belts and shoes as well.  It was in November 1995 when the government has given Mr. Philip Dizon the accreditation and permits to operate the 1st ever Davao Crocodile Park. 10 years later, on August 18, 2005, the world-class Crocodile Park was opened with the help of the consultant Dr. Gilbert Buenviaje. The Davao Crocodile Park Inc. is owned and operated by a group of businessmen headed by Mr. Sonny Dizon, a resident of Davao City.

Crocodile inside a Cage

Davao Crocodile Park Marker

Crocodile

Incubator Room

The Davao Crocodile Park is an establishment that showcases a “state of the art” crocodile farming system in the Philippines. It has the most recent crocodile farm design equipped with modern facilities and equipments. The presence of other exotic animal species like raptors, monkeys, bearcats, snakes, birds, and other reptiles makes it one of the most desired tourist destinations in Davao. The purposes of this Davao Crocodile Park are as follows:

• Tourism
• Public viewing and entertainment
• Venue for educational tours
• Promotion of public awareness through regular lectures
• Conservation of crocodiles and other wildlife animals and
• Acts as a field laboratory for students in Biology, Zoology, Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine as well as for wildlife animal enthusiasts.

The entrance fee of Davao Crocodile Park is only P150 for adults and P75 for children. In most times, they provide a complimentary ticket to Tribu K’Mindanawan, which showcases the different houses and culture of the whole of Mindanao, and Davao Butterfly House which domiciled thousands of Butterflies. There are regular afternoon shows except for Tuesdays and Thursdays starting from 4:30pm-5:45pm in most days. Shows such as Crocodile Feeding, Animal Petting, Educational Show, Pangil Encounter and Tightrope Walking can be enjoyed by both children “by age” and children “by heart”.

Ticketing Booth

Davao Crocodile Park is a wonderful place to explore. There are friendly reminders to ensure visitors a fun, safe, educational, interactive and once in a lifetime experience. These rules apply when inside the zoo.

• Rule number one: Enjoy your visit
• Do not lift/rest children over rails, railings and other barriers. They are there to protect the visitors from harm, as well as for the animals.
• Do not poke/stick the fingers inside the cages.
• Pets are not allowed inside the park.
• Do not feed the animals
• Do not throw any objects that might hurt the animals.
• Do not provoke, shout, and tease the animals.
• Persons under the influence of alcohol or drugs may be refused admission.
• Do not litter, look for the garbage bins or containers for trash.
• Smoking is not allowed.
• Bringing of firearms and other weapons are not allowed inside the park.
• In violation of the rules stated above, Crocodile Park will not be liable for any accident that may occur due to the said violation.

Davao Crocodile Park hopes that everyone’s stay inside the park will be a memorable one. They believed that all the animals inside this zoo should be taken with utmost love and care.

Skeleton of a Dugong

Skeleton of a Crocodile

One of the striking sights inside the Davao Crocodile Park is the assembled bones of a Dugong or also known as a Dugong Dugon. It is a large marine mammal which, together with the manatees, is one of the four living species in the order Sirenia. The cleaned and assembled skeleton Dugong is a 6 foot, 2 years old, male, who died in a fish net in 2009. There’s also a skeleton of a 14 feet, male, Indopacific Crocodile also known as Boktot, which died in 2005 at the age of over 40.

Colorful Parrot

The Birds that greet the Visitors

Children and adults spend almost half an hour talking with the Parrots and Myna inside Davao Crocodile Park. These birds greet the guests with a “Hi”, “Good Afternoon” (even on mornings), and “Pangit” (ugly) and they also whistle as if there’s a beautiful girl coming.

Burmese Phyton

Albino Burmese Phyton on the lose

Burmese Phytons, considered as one of the 6 biggest snakes in the world can be found inside Davao Crocodile Park. Petting them is at your own risk.

Pangil

Mark and Lisa at the Viewing Deck

Crocodiles are caged according to size and breed. The biggest and most noteworthy crocodile named “Pangil” is inside a pond good for himself. The other big ones are inside the biggest cage which has a viewing deck, elevated inside the center of the area. Crocodile feeding is only P35 in payment for the food.

Statues of Animals in Davao Crocodile Park

Lisa trapped by a Snake

Inside the Davao Crocodile Park is an area with statues of a Crocodile, Elephant, Snake, Tarzan and Jane. A male and female Siberian Tigers are also housed inside the zoo. There are times, when feeding the tigers is open to the public and visitors can feed them for a small amount in payment for the food and the assistant.

There are small information and description board found in most cages of the animals inside Davao Crocodile Park. This gives the visitors more knowledge on the animals that they are viewing. The zoo also warn the general public about buying, selling and hunting endangered animals such as the Leopard Cat, Blue Naped Parrot, Red Vented Cockatoo, etc.

Philippine Sail-fin Water Dragon

Water Dragon, Fish and Turtle Pond

Carlo the Orangutan

Other creatures such as Monitor Lizards, Ostriches, Turkeys, Philippine Warty Pig, Oriental Civet, Goats, Owls, Eagles and a wide array of bird species can be seen inside the zoo. The orangutan named “Carlo” can also keep you looking at him for minutes while he plays and swings around his cage. Some of the smaller animals such as snakes, boas, lizard and turtles are in a small cage with one wall made of glass for viewing purposes. There’s also the Philippine Sail-fin Water Dragon, a large semi-aquatic lizard, housed together with the Fishes and Turtles.

Mummified Crocodiles and Crocodile Tooth

Davao Crocodile Park Souvenir Shop

Davao Crocodile Park also has its own incubator house where they nourished the eggs of the crocodiles. They have their own souvenir shop which sells Crocodile Leather which can be made into Bag, Shoes and Belts. This is considered as the most expensive Leather in the world because of its elegant look and incredible durability that allows them to remain beyond time. The raw crocodile can cost US $12 per square centimeter. An elegant crocodile handbag can cost US $45,000 in the world market. Notably, Madonna owned a handbag made of Crocodile Leather for 1200 pounds and Philippines’ Megastar Sharon Cuneta owned one at a price of 3 million pesos as a gift for herself for being able to stay in showbiz for years. Davao Crocodile Park Souvenir Shop also sells Shirts, Toys, Bracelets, Necklaces, mummified small crocodiles and crocodile tooth. A crocodile tooth sells for P2000 each.

Davao Crocodile Park is located in Davao Crocodile Park Complex in Diversion Road, Maa, Davao City. From the city center take a Buhangin Route Jeepney (P7 fare) and inform the driver to drop you in the “Habal-habal” (motorcycle for hire) area in the corner of the Diversion Road. A habal-habal can take you directly to the park for P20-P40 depending on how you negotiate with the driver.

Davao Crocodile Park is probably a little better than Crocolandia in Cebu but both are awe-inspiring beauty of the different creatures found in our country. If you have enough time when you are in Davao, I highly recommend you visit this place for one of the most memorable nature/animal trip you’ll ever have.

Wishing Well

White bellied Bird

Monitor Lizards

Smaller Crocodiles

Siberian Tiger

Seats for Resting

About the author

Mark Anthony Maranga is an Educator-Parent to his 3 Homeschooling Kids. He sells Ice Cream and Balloons in Mandaue City, Cebu. Exploring the Philippines tourist attractions together with his family is his passion; they are learning without borders.