text: Seven of the world's most endangered crocodiles flew out of Melbourne on Wednesday en route to their native country. The 40 centimetre-long Philippine crocs travelled in custom designed boxes specially built by Melbourne Zoo to ensure they had a smooth flight. The arrival of these one year olds to the Palawan Wildlife Rescue & Conservation Centre in southern Philippines is part of a major conservation effort for the endangered species. One of seven Philippine crocodiles which flew from Melbourne to the Philippines today as part of a major conservation effort . There are only about 250 Philippines crocodiles left in the wild, making them the most endangered crocodilian species in the world . The custom-designed boxes which the crocodiles travelled in contained canvas bags cushioned by soft wood wool. There are only about 250 Philippine crocodiles left in the wild, making them the most endangered crocodile species in the world. The reptiles were conceived and hatched at the Melbourne Zoo, the first and only Australian zoo to breed them. After the breeding program has been concluded, the crocodiles will be released into the wild, where they could grow to be up to three metres long. Chris Banks, Manager for Zoo Victoria's International Conservation Programs, explained to ABC why the crocodiles are facing extinction. 'What you've got in the Philippines is a large human population, widespread poverty, a government strapped for resources to protect their own species, and civil disturbance in the south - so you can't really go and monitor crocodiles,' he said. After the breeding program has been concluded, the crocodiles will be released into the wild, where they could grow to be up to three metres long . The reptiles were conceived and hatched at the Melbourne Zoo, the first and only Australian zoo to breed the species . Melbourne Zoo Director Kevin Tanner has visited the Philippines and participated in the release to the wild of young crocodiles bred there. He says that 'to be able to breed such endangered animals and then return some to the home of their species is a rare and important event. 'It is a real credit to the skills and dedication of our Reptile Keepers that our breeding program is so successful.' The custom designed boxes which the crocodiles travelled in contained canvas bags cushioned by soft wood wool .
target: The 40cm-long Philippine crocodiles travelled in custom designed boxes .
  They were sent to the Palawan Wildlife Rescue & Conservation Centre .
  The project is part of a conservation effort for the endangered species .
  Philippine crocodiles are the most endangered croc species in the world .