The short answer
Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Centre: what visitors should know first
Go if you like wildlife and want an easy morning near town. It is flat and short, but Wikivoyage warns some wooden bridges are in poor repair, so walk slowly and check conditions. Read the notes on crocodile farming before deciding.
History and context
The story behind Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Centre
Wikipedia gives the founding date as 20 August 1987, when it opened as the Crocodile Farming Institute. It was renamed the Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center in 2000, and by October 2021 it held 1,450 crocodiles and 245 other wild animals.
Useful facts
Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Centre facts at a glance
- Location
- Irawan, Puerto Princesa
- Experience type
- Wildlife rescue centre and crocodile farm
- Area
- About 10 hectares
- Founded
- 1987 as the Crocodile Farming Institute
- Animals
- Philippine and saltwater crocodiles and other Palawan wildlife
- Time
- 1.5 to 2 hours
Why it matters
Why Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Centre is worth your time
The centre is both a rescue operation and a farm, and it is worth knowing both sides. Wikipedia lists the Philippine crocodile among the animals kept, and the centre works on rehabilitation and conservation. It also holds a CITES accreditation allowing sale of saltwater crocodiles commercially, and Wikipedia notes they are sometimes sold for leather.
For travellers, this is a useful place to see crocodiles safely and understand why they matter in the Philippines. It is also a reminder not to buy crocodile leather goods as souvenirs. Treat the centre as an educational stop rather than a spectacle, and support its work through the entrance fee.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
See the Philippine crocodile
It is endemic to the country, and the centre has a captive population.
- 02
Walk the rescue enclosures
Rescued animals are kept here for rehabilitation, with some staying long term.
- 03
Pair it with the Butterfly Garden
The garden is about halfway on the road from the city, per Wikivoyage.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
The centre sits on about 10 hectares at Irawan. Wikipedia says it began in 1987 as the Crocodile Farming Institute, a joint venture of the Philippine environment department and Japan's JICA, and was renamed in 2000. It has an Ecological Destination Park for visitors, a Wildlife Rescue Center, and training facilities.
A visit is a walk along paths past crocodile pens and enclosures for rescued wildlife, with guides on hand. Wikipedia says it houses the Philippine crocodile and the saltwater crocodile, plus other animals and Palawan endemic species. Animals found injured or seized from illegal captivity are kept for rehabilitation and, where possible, release.
Go in the morning, wear a hat and closed shoes, and keep children close to the railings. Wikivoyage mentions that you can reach it by a pickup from Rizal Avenue or a tricycle, but a hired van combined with the Butterfly Garden and Iwahig is easier on older passengers.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Go in the morning and wear closed shoes
- Check bridge and path conditions on arrival
- Do not buy crocodile leather souvenirs
- Combine with the Butterfly Garden by hired van
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Irawan, Puerto Princesa, about 30 to 40 minutes from the city centre
- Time needed
- 1.5 to 2 hours
- Best time
- Morning, before the heat
- Walking level
- Easy
- Senior comfort
- Mostly flat paths, but Wikivoyage mentions wooden bridges in poor repair and shade is patchy. Seating is limited. A slow walk is possible for most people; ask staff about current conditions.
- Tickets and access
- Wikivoyage listed a small entry fee and hours of about 8.30 am to 4.30 pm, but these may have changed. Confirm locally. The centre organises informational tours.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Centre
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
Mostly flat paths, but Wikivoyage mentions wooden bridges in poor repair and shade is patchy. Seating is limited. A slow walk is possible for most people; ask staff about current conditions.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Where is the Crocodile Farm?
In Irawan, about 30 to 40 minutes from the city centre according to Wikivoyage. Most visitors use a hired van, tricycle or local pickup.
Is it open daily?
Wikivoyage listed about 8.30 am to 4.30 pm, but hours change. Confirm before you go.
Is it suitable for seniors?
Mostly flat, but shade is patchy and some wooden bridges may be worn. Go early and walk slowly.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
