Do you remember the 1970’s? It was in the mid-70’s when the movie “Jaws” came out. For those who are too young, or who don’t remember the movie, it was about a shark attack that happened in the United States, a fictional place called Amity Island. Basically, a viscious shark attacked on the beach of Amity Island, and continued to haunt the town. Eventually, a group of local people, headed by the Sherrif hunted down the shark.
Something similar is happening in Mindanao at this time. Only thing is, it’s not sharks that are being hunted, it is a Crocodile! A huge croc too, many witnesses are saying this croc is 8 or 9 meters long, about 30 feet!
It all started on March 7, although it took a few days for word to get out. Two young girls who live in the Agusan Marsh were on their way home from school on March 7. The Agusan Marsh is, as the name implies, a marshy area in Agusan del Sur Province. The people in the Agusan Marsh live on the water, in houses that are on stilts. It’s a different breed of people.
So, these girls were taking a small boat home from school when this monster croc struck the boat. Twelve year old student, Rowena Romano was killed by the crocodile. She was decapitated, her head was bitten off. Reports say that the crocodile devoured her head. Reports go on to say that Rowena’s body was left in the marsh, and found two days later.
At this point, families in the area have been evacuated from the Marsh, in fears that this killer croc will strike again. It’s Jaws all over again, some 3 decades later!
I find something wrong with this whole report, though. Think about it. How much meat is on a human head? Not too much, it’s mostly bone, the skull. Of course, the brain is insice the skull, but outside the skull there isn’t too much. The body, though, it mostly meat. would a crocodile take the head and devour it? I doubt that a croc eats the bones, would it even open the skull? I don’t know, but I don’t necessarily think it would. What about the body? Full of meat. It is left intact in the water for 2 days? If there is one crocodile there, I would certainly think that others are around too. Even if the giant croc was full and couldn’t eat anymore (which I doubt), other crocs would have devoured the body, right? I guess that in two days, nothing touched the body.
This just doesn’t make sense to me, and I doubt that events happened as they have been reported. Certainly the girl lost her life, and I am sorry that something like that happened to a young girl. But, it’s best to find out what really happened to her. Maybe there was some kind of foul play involved and the croc story was just used to cover up something else?
Now, as I say, I am no crocodile expert. I know little about them, but what I hear just doesn’t make sense to me.
Something, or someone killed Rowena. I think it’s a good idea to find out what or who killed her.
Right now, the search is on for the killer croc. Many officials say that they want the reptile taken alive, and then it will be put into some kind of crocodile sanctuary. Are killer animals put into cages? Not usually, they are usually killed. I hear often that once an animal tastes human blood, it will continue to desire more of it. And, that is why such killer animals are usually killed themselves. But, officials want this croc put into captivity.
Something smells fishy on this to me.
Morning Bob,
We have the same or similar croc here in Northern Australia -(Saltwater or estuarine crocodile (Crocodylus porosus)). They are 100% different from sharks in the way they eat. Their teeth do not allow them to readily bite chunks out of their prey. It would be highly unusual for one to decapitate a human. It could have happened in the "death roll" they perform to kill/drown/subdue their prey. It is 100% normal for them to hide bodies under water. They do this to allow it to putrify and soften so they can tear it to pieces easier later (remember they can't bit like we do or sharks do). It is 100% normal for them to swallow anything they can whole. If they are a big enough croc they would easily swallow a small human whole. Croc's don't need to eat much, or often, as their temperature is regulated by their environment. Hope that helps, Bob. I used to keep reptiles as pets so have always taken an interest in them.
hello Bob I read the story online in the Sun Star Davao the other day but not as much Information as you just gave. Being a nature show addict to I do know some crocks kill and then let prey set for a day or two to soften. but usually under water. Years ago I owned a pet store and sold baby south American crocks. I would usually feed them gold fish, but once in awhile I would feed them a mouse. I could watch like on TV that they would attack and roll in the water. then I would have to clean cage. I am with you though that a crock that big, Larger than any recent history crock recorded, did this deed. But the storey will last 100 years. Thanks for giving the information I did not get from online paper.
Hi Bob,
I read another report on this issue that suggests that the lake where the attack took place is a crocodile sanctuary, and that the crocodile was about eight feet long. It seems that it is a very unusual attack, but these things do happen from time to time. Most zoo's and wildlife parks have had some instance of unexpected attacks. I take your point though, that a body floating in such a place would surely have seemed like an appetizing snack for other crocs. Unless of course, since it is a sanctuary, they are very well fed otherwise.
This is the url for the report: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/re…
Kamusta ka Bob,
Yes Bob, I am no expert on crocodiles or alligators. But since living in Florida, I have learned this too, about what AusieLee had mentioned about leaving the body in the water to "soften" up. We haven't had too many gator attacks recently and alligators are not as aggressive as a crocodile is..but it still happens here in FLorida, especially to children.
Whatever the cause of this death is, I hope they find out soon what cause was. I would think an autopsy of the body would at least show something of how see died.
Danny
They have captured a gator here Bob that had eaten a little boy and swallowed him whole. It happens almost every breeding season the news has storys on how a gator got a family pet I lost a small dog to one too and a gator is 1/3 the size of a croc so i wouldn't discount that story until they find the croc. I hear the mayor want it caught alive ! I'll stay tuned !
…several pair of boots out of that croc easily!!
Hi Bob- Havent heard of a croc decapitating anyone before, but I suppose it is possible. Most attacks would come either from below the waterline, or just above which would generally mean the legs or torso. As for crocodiles developing a taste for human blood,I think the way those guys eat has little to do with taste, but some of them do tend to live near human populations, so we become fair game for them.
As for the little girl in this story, I hope there is nothing underhand going on here,as it is easy to spread rumors and fear, particularly among people who may be at risk, especially those who have little education.
Hi again, thinking about this story reminds me of the firt time I went on a fihing trip in a banka (bunka?) boat and I asked the guys if there were any sharks in the area and they laughed and said "no we ate them all) They know how to make the kano feel relaxed!
p.s Bob, what do I need to do to have smileys with my comments?
That's to bad about the girl …My sympathies go out to the family …When I lived in Texas back in the early 80's they had a news report on tv that grade school children were feeding a 12-15 foot alligator in a drainage ditch beside a grade school playground for a couple of months .. never ate a kid cause it was being fed and wasn't hungry ..the authorities trapped it and relocated it …and they can digest a turtle shell and bones ….If she was attached by it then it would of hidden the body underwater in a storage spot it would use to soften it up some before dinning at it leisure .. Like you said Bob sounds fishy .???? … Phil n Jess
Hi Bob, A similar thing happened several weeks ago in Northern Queensland, here in Aus. Two boys were playing near a river bank when one of them was taken by a croc. They have since recovered his remains inside a 4.3 metre animal. Heres a link to the story if you want to read about it http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,2519…
The story of the girl being taken does seemed to go against the usual stories you here about croc attacks. cheers, Jason
Hi Bob – Seems the fascination and fear factor (darn puns) with crocodiles has always been prominent in the Philippines. Entries in early Spanish explorer logs discuss them, referring to them as caymans (caimans) as does the writings of Rizal.
Asawa-ko tells me croc scare stories based in Ilocos Norte (as well as snakes, wild animals, duendes, drawfs, etc.) when she tries to deflect my desire to check out a river or mountain or whatever locale that is more than 25 steps from home! 😆
Hi Bob
I really believe someone murdered the young girl and it was not a croc. Someone is trying to cover their guilt in the death of this young girl by blaming a croc. I hope very much they find the murderer and convict the person.
Hi Bob.
Just yesterday, on local tv, I saw a man being attacked by a gator that took him by his head. This gator was hindered in performing death-roll, by other people, who sat on it and others (4 grown men) opened the jaws. Had the gator made death-roll, most likely the head would have come off. Did the girl get killed by a croc? Well, I guess time will show, but any way, I feel sorry for the girl and her family.
I found this link: http://strangeclips.blogspot.com/2007/12/biggest-…
A good day to you and your family, be safe.
Hi again, another croc attack here in Australia today, 11 year old girl feared dead, check the story out here – http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,25195993-292…
Cheers
Firstly, condolences to the family of the lost child. Secondly, given the size of the croc, it must be from Texas, everything is big in Texas. Thirdly, possible but highly improbable that the croc ( if undisturbed ) would only take the head, given the reported size of the reptile. Foul play?? I thought that might be the case straight off the bat. I am sure the spirit of the girl will haunt the province until the truth is known.
Taking about wild croc stories. I was told this one while we had our regular all you can drink Sunday nights. My Pino relo told this story to the drunken masters.
He was traveling on a an airplane on a round the world trip, ( actually my pino friend cannot afford a pedicab let alone a plane trip )he decided to find out where he was. So he stuck his arm outside the window of the plane and his arm froze, he concluded he was in Alaska.
A few hours later he stuck his arm out again and it was burning hot, he concluded he was in the Sahara desert. A few hours passed and he wanted to know where he was, so again he stuck his arm outside the plane and he looked at his arm and his watch was missing…….ahhh I'm back in the Philippines!!
Hi Bob: Sounds like crocodile capers. Reliable sources always confirm crocs of twenty five feet or more are seldom, if ever seen, even in places like central Africa, and Australia where giant crocs are common place. This story reeks of exaggeration.
Best regards:
An almost funny story, When my Dad lived in naples florida he fwd me a news clip …seems gators in retention ponds are a common problem…one 85 degree day an elderly lady was walking her leashed poodle by the pond as she had done for years……as you can imagine lil FiFi was destined to disappear that day as well as 3 feet of the leash… I guess you could call it a gator "hot dog"
( true story )!!!
Hi Bob,
Ive seen various reports on this,with slight differences.
I feel the size 30ft is exaggerated,which is normal,a bit like fishermen do.
It appears that there were two girls travelling in 1 boat,and 1 man escorting them in another boat.The girls boat was overturned by the croc and 1 girl was taken,the man in the other boat rescued the other girl,so there were 2 witnesses.
Apparantly there had been recent reports that the crocs in the area had recently become agressive due to lack of food.
Most fish had scattered to other areas due to the lake being swollen.
Nowhere is it mentioned wether the boats had outboard motors,apparently these motors do attract male crocs as they can replicate the mating call,(read about this some years ago).
I believe the residents of the marsh @100 Manobo tribes people have been evacuated from the area in case there are more attacks.
Thats all the info i've found,regards Chas.
Hey Bob,
I have been out to the marsh and have seen the boat the girl was supposed to have been in. The front is busted off but nothing that would show actual teeth marks. For a eight footer to bite the front of a dugout canoe is unlikley. Maybe I will see you around town sometime. D’ Bone Collector
Interesting to hear. That case was some time ago, I have not heard of further croc attacks… have you?
Hi Bob,
I just recalled this topic of yours and darned, there was indeed a giant croc on those marshes!
They just caught a big one.
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/231461/regions/21-foot-crocodile-caught-in-agusan-del-sur-town
You sure are right, Rey! They caught the big boy today! I saw it on the news!