OK! Here was the news!
MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) - A monster 21-foot (6.4-meter) saltwater crocodile, believed to be the biggest ever captured, has been trapped in the southern Philippines after a spate of fatal attacks, officials said Tuesday.
The 1,075-kilogram (2,370-pound) male is suspected of eating a farmer who went missing in July in the town of Bunawan, and of killing a 12-year-old girl whose head was bitten off two years ago, crocodile hunter Rollie Sumiller said.
The hunter examined the crocodile's stomach contents by forcing it to vomit after it was captured Saturday, but there was no trace of human remains or of several water buffaloes also reported missing by locals.
"The community was relieved," Sumiller said of the capture, but added: "We're not really sure if this is the man-eater, because there have been other sightings of other crocodiles in the area."
The local government of the impoverished town of 30,000 people has decided against putting down the reptile, and will instead build a nature park where it will go on display.
Josefina de Leon, wildlife division chief at the Philippines environment ministry, said the beast was likely the biggest crocodile ever captured anywhere in the world.
"Based on existing records the largest that had been captured previously was 5.48 metres long," she told AFP.
The Philippine specimen would easily dwarf the largest captive saltwater crocodile, which the Guinness World Records website lists as Cassius, a 5.48-meter (18-foot) male which lives at an Australian nature park.
Press reports also describe other huge crocs including a 6.2-meter (20.3-foot) adult male killed in Papua New Guinea in 1982 that was measured after it was skinned.
The Bunawan hunting team, employed by a government-run crocodile breeding farm, began laying bait using chicken, pork and dog meat on August 15 in an attempt to snare the beast.
But the reptile, which measured 3 feet (0.91 meters) across its back, simply bit off both the meat and the line it was skewered on.
A heavy metal cable finally proved beyond the power of its jaws, and the beast was subdued in a creek late Saturday with the help of about 30 local men.
It was the team's second attempt after a failed expedition launched in response to the fatal 2009 attack.
Beyond the mark of the hook inside its upper jaw, the crocodile did not appear to have sustained any serious injuries, Sumiller said.
Bunawan Mayor Edwin Cox Elorde said the government would build a nature park showcasing the giant crocodile and other species found in the vast marshland on the upper reaches of the massive Agusan river basin on Mindanao island.
"It will be the biggest star of the park," Elorde told reporters.
Sumiller said the plan was the best option available for the creature.
"He's a problem crocodile that needs to be taken from the wild... and used for eco-tourism," he said.
Crocodylus porosus, or the estuarine crocodile, is the world's largest reptile. It grows to 5 or 6 meters in length and can live up to 100 years.
While not considered an endangered species globally, it is "critically endangered" in the Philippines, where it is hunted for its hide which is used in the fashion industry, de Leon said.
"There have been very few sightings of porosus in the wild in the Philippines in recent years," she added.
In July, a saltwater crocodile measuring almost 14 feet (4.2 meters) was caught on the western Philippine island of Palawan after it killed a man.
Now they are planning for an Ecopark for Lolong.
This as more and more people want to get a glimpse of the crocodile, which is widely believed to be the biggest caught alive in the world.
"Proud na proud kami, kaya we are hoping na madevelop ang tourism dito para na rin makatulong sa constituents," said Engr. Robert Salise, municipal planning and development coordinator.
Those who live in areas near the Agusan marsh said that giant crocodiles such as Lolong have affected their way of life. Resident Teodoro Salon, for one, said many of them feel uneasy out of fear of being attacked.
"Kapag may nagpupunta sa sapa, sabi ko 'wag kayong paligo-ligo diyan, may mga buwaya!' O ngayon, hindi na sila masyadong kumpiyansa," said Salon, who has seen several giant crocodiles in the marsh.
Signs have been placed around the marsh to warn people about the presence of crocodiles in the Agusan marsh. Residents and tourists were also advised to come in groups to preempt a crocodile attack.
Fishing is still allowed in the marsh, except from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., when crocodiles are most active.
"Ang mga mangingisda namin siyempre takot nang mangisda sa sapa, alam kasi nila may ibang buwaya pa diyan," said barangay captain Teofanis Adlawan.
Lolong measures 21 feet long and 3.5 feet wide, and weighs 1,075 kilos. The male crocodile is believed to be 50 years old.
Proper care
Lolong may be groomed to become the next major tourist attraction in Agusan del Sur, but just like other animals, he needs proper care and attention.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has assigned its Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau to help the local government of Agusan del Sur take care of the giant crocodile.
Government officials in the province, for their part, assured that they will keep Lolong in the pink of health.
On Wednesday, Mayor Edwin "Cox" Elorde of Bunawan town said the giant crocodile is still recovering from stress caused by its capture.
Meanwhile, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals urged local officials to free Lolong following news that the reptile is not eating while in captivity. -- Report from Atom Araullo, ABS-CBN News
credits to: http://www.abs-cbnnews.com
But I've heard a news that a group of people want to free Lolong. I just had a very nice thought about this people. Yes! I know it was their opinion so I'll give mine too. Here is it, you guys gotta listen carefully. lol
First, Lolong was a threat to the villagers of the place where he was captured. He has eaten a water buffalo and suspected to be the responsible for the missing fisherman last July. People all over the world been reacting like, "That crocodile have live his life 100years free, and it should be very sad for him to live the rest of his life in cage so they should free the crocs!" Have they ever thought that, what if this croc would attack people near the shores? Would it be fair for humans? Yes it is nature, but I bet if there is a crocodile and a human that is in danger and you can only save one you will save the human right? If you guys think of freeing Lolong, think of this first, what if you're a villager in the place where Lolong has been captured? Is it okay to free a crocodile in your backyards? Do you think you will still cry, "Free Lolong! He has live 100years of his life free and he should live the rest of it free!" Think of it guys. thank you.
