Guinness, NatGeo expected in Agusan to verify captured ‘Lolong’ size

By Rosa May de Guzman-Maitem
Inquirer Mindanao

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GOING FOR GUINNESS. Guinness and National Geographic Representatives are coming to Agusan del Sur to determine whether “Lolong” is the largest salt water crocodile in captivity. INQUIRER FILEPHOTO

BUNAWAN, Philippines – Representatives from the Guinness Book of World Records are expected to arrive here before the end of the month to verify if Lolong is indeed the world’s largest saltwater crocodile in captivity, Mayor Edwin Elorde said.

Also arriving to study Lolong are staffers of National Geographic based in New Zealand, he said.

“They will be here on September 26 or 27,” Elorde said.

He said Guinness had formally informed him of the arrival of its representatives. “All they want is proof that the current record has been broken,” Elorde said.

The current record for the largest saltwater crocodile in captivity was set by Cassius in 2008, an Australian saltwater crocodile measuring 5.48 meters (17 feet, 11.75 inches) long.

Lolong is said to be 6.4 meters long and weighs more than a ton.

According to National Geographic, the largest crocodile on record belonged to the prehistoric species Sarcosuchus imperator, which lived around 110 million years ago.

Recent fossilized remains found in the Sahara Desert suggest that the creature took around 50-60 years to grow to its full length of around 11-12 meters (37-40 feet) with a maximum weight of around eight tons.

Meanwhile, Lolong still refuses to eat, two weeks since his capture on Sept. 3, according to Elorde. “He looks healthy, maybe he’s just still stressed out.”

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Giant croc captured in Agusan Sur creek

Philippine Daily Inquirer

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MONSTER CROC In this photo taken on Sunday, Mayor Cox Elorde of Bunawan, Agusan del Sur province, shows how huge was the 1,075-kg crocodile captured by residents and crocodile farm staff along a creek late Saturday. The 6.4-meter (21-foot) male crocodile is bigger than the 5.5 meter saltwater crocodile in Cairns, Australia, that the Guinness Book of Records says is the biggest captive crocodile in the world. AP

Villagers and experts have captured a one-ton saltwater crocodile which they plan to make the star of a planned ecotourism park in Agusan del Sur province.

The male crocodile was described in an Associated Press report as 6.4 meters (21 feet) long which, if confirmed, would make it bigger than the 5.5-meter saltwater crocodile in Cairns, Australia.

The Australian crocodile has been cited by the Guinness Book of Records as the biggest captive crocodile in the world.

Mayor Cox Elorde on Monday said that dozens of villagers and experts ensnared the crocodile along a creek in Bunawan town, Agusan del Sur, after a three-week hunt. It was captured by villagers using a trap.

Elorde said the crocodile killed a carabao in an attack witnessed by villagers last month and is also suspected of having attacked a fisherman who went missing in July.

Elorde said putting the huge crocodile in a tourism park would turn it “from a threat into an asset.”

The Australian crococile, named Cassius, is believed to be at least 100 years old. Reports from AP and Inquirer Research