Lolong: world’s largest crocodile in captivity dies in Philippines

Lolong, the largest saltwater crocodile in captivity, has died in the Philippines.

Officials said the six-metre reptile, weighing more than 1,000 kg, flipped over with a bloated stomach and was declared dead several hours later.

The crocodile, blamed for the death of at least one person, was caught in September 2011 and then became the star attraction of an eco-tourism park.

Lolong was formally declared the world’s largest in captivity by Guinness World Records in 2012.

The crocodile was captured in the town of Bunawan after a three-week hunt involving dozens

The giant reptile, which measured 6.4 m (21ft) and weighed in at 1,075 kg (2,370 lb), had begun to draw local and foreign tourists to the town.

Bunawan Mayor Edwin Elorde said Lolong had been off color for a month.

“He refused to eat since last month and we noticed a change in the color of his faeces,” he told the Philippine Daily Inquirer newspaper.

“Our personnel also noticed an unusual ballooning of the reptile’s belly.”

Local vet Alex Collantes said that unseasonably cold weather could have affected the crocodile.

Edwin Elorde told the Inquirer wildlife experts would conduct an investigation into the death and said he hoped Lolong’s body could be preserved.

“In that way, people can still look and marvel at him,” he said.

Australian media say the mantle of largest saltwater crocodile in captivity may now pass back to Cassius, a 5.48 m reptile housed at a crocodile farm near Cairns in Queensland.

Saltwater crocodiles

• Also known as the estuarine crocodile, it is the world’s largest living crocodile
• It is capable of killing any animal or human that strays into its territory
• Body length: usually 4.2 m-4.8 m (13.8 ft-15.8 ft), although specimens of over 7 m (23 ft) have been recorded
• Weight: Male generally 408-520 kg (900 lb-1,140 lb), but have been known to exceed 1,000 kg (2,200 lb)
• Life expectancy: They can live for more than 100 years.

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