42-15 · CONSULATE GENERAL OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES CHICAGO PRESS RELEASE No. Dutch Biologist Awardee Presents Work on Conservation of Philippine Crocodile The Consulate

Consul General Generoso DG Calonge delivers his welcome remarks before the presentation of Mr. Merlijn van Weerd, a recipient of the Field

Museum’s Parker/Gentry Award for Conservation Biology, at the Consulate’s Kalayaan Hall.

Mr. Merlijn van Weerd, Director and one of the founders of Mabuwaya Foundation, talks about the foundation’s conservation efforts for the

Philippine freshwater crocodile, which is generally regarded as the most seriously endangered crocodile in the world.

Mr. Merlijn van Weerd with the Officers and Staff members of the Consulate General and Members of the Filipino-American Community.

The Crocodylus Mindorensis, also known as the Philippine crocodile, is generally known as being closest to extinction among

all crocodiles in the world.