World's largest crocodile in captivity dies

Villagers in Philippines in tears

Published Monday, February 11, 2013

Bunawan Mayor Edwin Cox Elorde pretends to measure a huge crocodile which was captured by residents and crocodile farm staff along a creek in Bunawan in Bunawan town in Agusan del Sur province, southern Philippines. Guinness World Records has declared Sunday, July 1, 2012 that the huge crocodile blamed for deadly attacks is the largest in captivity in the world. Guinness spokeswoman Anne-Lise Rouse says the saltwater crocodile nicknamed "Lolong" measured 6.17 meters (20.24 feet) and weighed more than a ton. (AP)

The world's largest saltwater crocodile in captivity has died in the Philippines, sending villagers to tears in a backwater town that shot to prominence because of the immense reptile.

Mayor Edwin Cox Elorde of Bunawan town in southern Agusan del Sur province says a veterinarian rushed to check the one-ton crocodile after it flipped over with a bloated stomach on Sunday in its cage in an eco-tourism park. The reptile was declared dead a few hours later.

Guinness World Records proclaimed the giant, blamed for deadly attacks before it was captured in 2011, the largest saltwater crocodile in captivity last year, saying it measured 20.24 feet (6.17 meters).

Elorde plans to have the crocodile preserved so villagers can still see the reptile that put their little-known town on the map.

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