World Crocodile Day: Thoughts on Human-Crocodile Coexistence in Singapore

Article by Xavier Woo, Volunteer at the Herpetological Society of Singapore

If you could name one person who was the biggest inspiration to you, who would it be? For me, it was the late Steve Irwin and his documentary series, “The Crocodile Hunter." At an early age, I was inspired by his passion, skill and knowledge of reptiles—especially crocodilians—and knew that I wanted to be a herpetologist and study reptiles for a living.

Today, June 17^th is World Croc Day—a day where we celebrate crocodilians, a group consisting of alligators, caimans, crocodiles and gharials. Altogether, there are about 26 species of crocodilian in total, with new species constantly being discovered through advancements in genetic testing.

The saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) is Singapore’s only wild crocodilian and can typically be found in and around Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. Also known as the estuarine crocodile, or saltie, this species inhabits wetlands, rivers and coastal regions of Southeast Asia and Australia. Male saltwater crocodiles can grow to over 6 meters in length, weigh over a ton and are the largest living reptiles, with females typically being smaller. Saltwater crocodiles are apex predators, playing a crucial ecological role by preventing overpopulation of prey species. Their diet consists primarily of fishes, although they do prey on birds, reptiles and scavenge on carrion as well. Larger individuals in other countries have even been recorded hunting large mammals such as water buffalos, kangaroos, and even humans on occasion.

A saltwater crocodile I encountered during one of my hikes at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Singapore

As a biology student, I find myself particularly drawn towards salties, perhaps due to their incredible adaptations. My most memorable encounter was with a 3-meter individual, found basking under the Kingfisher pod bridge at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. I was able to study the adaptation of these prehistoric-looking creatures from a safe distance. One of the notable features are osteoderms, the bony ridges on their bodies that serve as armor and help regulate temperature. Another interesting adaptation of a crocodile is the integumentary sensory organ (ISO), which are small black dots along the crocodile’s mouth and body used to detect pressure changes, allowing them to hunt underwater with no visibility.

Recently, I went on a trip to Belize and volunteered with the Crocodile Research Coalition, where I had the opportunity to work with both American crocodiles (Crocodylus acutus) and Morelet’s crocodiles (Crocodylus moreletii). There, I gained experience conducting research under the guidance of renowned crocodilian biologist Dr. Marisa Tellez, whom I have recently learned is one of the founders of World Croc Day. 

During my volunteering stint, I got to work and bond with one of their crocodile ambassadors, a Morelet’s crocodile named Auggie. He had not only been kept as a pet illegally and used as a tourist attraction, but his previous owner had also gouged out both of his eyes, as they believed this would keep him calm when handled by tourists. He was then rescued by the Crocodile Research Coalition. Due to his blindness and inquisitive nature, he was not suitable for release to the wild and became one of their ambassador animals, where he helps educate the public on the impacts of irresponsible wildlife tourism. Auggie was very intelligent and responded well to cues given by Dr. Tellez during veterinary care training sessions. For example, when given the cue "smile," he opened his mouth, enabling Dr. Tellez to inspect the inside of his mouth for signs of illness. Through Auggie, I learned how intelligent and personable crocodilians can be, and my fascination and love for these amazing animals grew tremendously. That also further adds to my anticipation and eagerness to be able to do my master’s research on the ecology of false gharials (Tomistoma schlegelii), one of the largest and yet least studied species of crocodilian.

Auggie, one of the Crocodile Research Coalition’s ambassador crocs. He had not only been illegally kept as a pet but also had both his eyes gouged out by his previous owner. He was then rescued by the Crocodile Research Coalition.

Crocodiles are extremely hardy animals and are able to survive serious injuries. This 3-legged American crocodile I caught during a mark-recapture survey in Belize was extremely healthy, despite missing a leg. Mark-recapture studies enable scientists to understand population size and growth rates. All crocodiles were handled with appropriate permits issued by the Belize Forest Department. All wildlife handling was done only by trained personnel. (Photo by Marisa Tellez)

Fittingly, World Croc Day also serves as a reminder that despite their adaptability, crocodilians are becoming increasingly threatened in our modern world. Many species face habitat loss, pollution, climate change, and human persecution and are in danger of going extinct. Crocodile habitats like rivers, wetlands and coasts are becoming increasingly altered for human development, resulting in more human-crocodile conflict.

On 7^th May 2026, the National Parks Board (NParks) announced that the 2-meter croc sighted in Sentosa had been caught and euthanised due to public safety concerns and lack of rehoming alternatives, sparking some backlash online. This incident, along with another in 2023 involving a larger crocodile at Marina East, raised some questions on human-crocodile coexistence and crocodile management methods in Singapore. Some experts argue that culling does little to reduce crocodile attacks, as it results in complacency and reckless behaviour in crocodile habitats. However, relocation is also an impractical option for a small country like Singapore. Studies across multiple species have shown that crocodilians have strong homing instincts, with individuals being capable of traveling over 400 km in less than a month back to their original capture site.

I have learned from various crocodilian biologists that the key to mitigating human-crocodilian conflict is through education. Education is key to helping people avoid dangerous situations and understanding that crocodiles are not monsters, just animals doing what animals do. Unfortunately, the lack of knowledge on how to safely navigate encounters with crocodilians and the risks they can pose has often resulted in unnecessary persecution.

Coexisting with crocodiles isn’t easy, especially in a highly urbanised city with limited habitat like Singapore. To truly coexist with crocodiles, we will have to educate Singaporeans to follow some simple rules. 

• If you encounter a crocodile, calmly back away and avoid approaching or disturbing it.

• If the crocodile poses a potential threat, either due to its location or behaviour, call NParks and keep others, especially children, away.

• Do not swim or partake in any water activities in areas where crocodiles have recently been sighted. 

  
  

Lastly, perhaps we should encourage empathy, understanding, and respect for crocodiles. Seeing a crocodile in the wild is always exciting, and by keeping a safe distance, we will be able to admire these incredible animals safely and respectfully. Happy World Croc Day!

A “What to do when you encounter an estuarine crocodile" signage at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve.