Lolong, world’s largest crocodile, dies
-A A +ASunday, February 10, 2013
MANILA -- Lolong, the world's largest saltwater crocodile in captivity, died Sunday evening, sending villagers to tears in Bunawan town, Agusan del Sur, which shot to prominence because of the immense reptile.
Mayor Edwin Cox Elorde of Bunawan said a veterinarian rushed to check the one-ton crocodile after it flipped over with a bloated stomach Sunday in its cage in an eco-tourism park.
Lolong was declared dead a few hours later, around 8 p.m.
Mayor Elorde said in a television interview Sunday evening that they noticed the bloated right side of Lolong’s stomach just Sunday morning.
He said they cannot yet determine the cause of Lolong’s death, but an official investigator will see the reptile Monday to check.
The Guinness World Records proclaimed the giant, blamed for deadly attacks before it was captured in September 2011, the largest saltwater crocodile in captivity last year, saying it measured 20.24 feet (6.17 meters).
Lolong, which was estimated to be around 50 years old, was captured in Agusan marsh after locals suspected the giant reptile was the one that ate a missing fisherman and several carabaos.
Mayor Elorde plans to have the crocodile preserved so villagers can still see the reptile that put their little-known town on the map. (AP/Sunnex)
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