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Science

Confirmed: This Giant Crocodile Is the Largest One in Captivity

Jul. 2, 2012 10:47am Liz Klimas

Philippines Lolong Confirmed by the Guinness World Records as the Largest Saltwater Crocodile in Captivity

Lolong upon his capture in September 2011. (Photo: AP)

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Last September, the Blaze reported a town in the Philippines celebrating the capture of an enormous crocodile that was suspected to have made some deadly attacks upon villagers. Keeping the croc alive but captive, the villagers used it to help generate tourism.

Although having the croc on display has already been a boon for the town, they now have something else to brag about besides just landing it. Lolong, as he is called, has been confirmed by the Guinness World Records as the largest saltwater crocodile in captivity in the world.

Lolong has become the star attraction of a new ecotourism park and research center in the outskirts of Bunawan and has drawn thousands of tourists since news of its capture spread. Elorde said his town has earned 3 million pesos ($72,000) from the modest entrance fees at the park, with most of the money being used to feed and care for the crocodile and maintain the park.

Lolong measures 20.24 feet (6.17 meters) and weighs more than a ton, Guinness spokeswoman Anne-Lise Rouse said in a statement seen Sunday. The reptile took the top spot from an Australian crocodile that measured more than 17 feet (5 meters) and weighed nearly a ton.

The news sparked celebrations in Bunawan, a farming town of 37,000 in Agusan del Sur province, but Mayor Edwin Cox Elorde said it also fostered concerns that more giant crocodiles might lurk in a marshland and creek where villagers fish.

Watch this AP footage from last year when Lolong was first captured:

“There were mixed feelings,” Elorde said by telephone. “We’re really proud because it proves the rich biodiversity of our place but at the same time, there are fears that Lolong may not be alone.”

Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon Paje welcomed the Guinness announcement and the growing attention for the crocodile, saying it would help people realize the biodiversity of their surroundings and the need to protect it. He said he would recommend that the government help Bunawan become an ecotourism destination.

The crocodile was captured with steel cable traps during a three-week hunt after a child was killed in 2009 and a fisherman went missing. Water buffalos have also been attacked by crocodiles in the area.

About 100 people led by Elorde pulled the crocodile from a creek using a rope and then hoisted it by crane onto a truck. It was named after a government environmental officer who died from a heart attack after traveling to Bunawan to help capture the beast, Elorde said.

Elorde said he saw a bigger crocodile escape when Lolong was captured and villagers remain wary of fishing there at night. He said he has formed a team of hunters and is seeking government permission to hunt that crocodile.

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Comments (72)

merik59
Posted on July 2, 2012 at 7:44pm
It didn’t get this huge from being in captivity. It seems a shame to torture the animal because that’s what it amounts to for the animal itself. Either build it a sufficient habitat with a display aquarium or let it go. I don’t see these people building their version of Sea World to accommodate this creature soon so they’re going to end up abusing this croc until it finally dies from something unpleasant. Way to go, ignorant jerks. I’m not a PETA fan but this pi$$es me off. It’s getting rare for these lizards to reach gargantuan size & it is a wondrous thing not an automatic tourist attraction or luggage waiting to be made. Morons.

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- morerightrudder
  Posted on July 2, 2012 at 7:56pm
  Put him out of his misery and make boots and purses. I wouldn’t let him go, too dangerous to the natives living in the area.
  
  Report this comment
- Salamander
  Posted on July 2, 2012 at 8:02pm
  Donate it to Congress–maybe it could help us ‘clean house’!
  
  Report this comment
- The-Monk
  Posted on July 2, 2012 at 9:21pm
  It’s not really that big. It’s just a baby Godzilla.
  
  Wait till it does grow up and moves to Japan. : )
  
  Report this comment
- adeleeeee
  Posted on July 2, 2012 at 10:17pm
  You do not live there so I don’t think you have a right speak for what those ppl did to this Croc.
  
  But I kind of agree with you this croc would die unpleasantly. But, again, this croc is a killing machine so I would suggest they should kill this Croc and use this Croc made all kinds of byproduct from it.
  
  Report this comment
- antonchekov
  Posted on July 5, 2012 at 4:53pm
  the money collected will go for the food and maintenance of the crocodile. the crocodile that size needs to eat a lot of chicken or meat from other animals.it doesnt eat grass or leaves from trees. its not a lot of money like the sea world would collect from entrance fee. you have to knowthat philippines is not like the US. they cant generate income like that quickly. donate some cash.
  understand?
  
  Report this comment
POET
Posted on July 2, 2012 at 7:27pm
I would trust this Crock more then Van Jones

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v15
Posted on July 2, 2012 at 5:54pm
Retiles will grow as big as their food supply. They spotted a saltwater croc in the Philippines that was roughly 29 ft in length. Good luck catching that bad boy!

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- Gumbercules
  Posted on July 2, 2012 at 7:28pm
  Proof, plz!
  
  Report this comment
- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on July 2, 2012 at 7:44pm
  No.4 Mepps, with a 3/4 inch stainless cable.
  
  Report this comment
ricckky
Posted on July 2, 2012 at 5:42pm
We need a Crocobama Dept.-Need to levy new taxes on these critters for new alligator golf shoes for liar-in-chief!!!!

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rafa2design
Posted on July 2, 2012 at 5:35pm
That croc could sure make a lot of nice looking boots.

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- RamonPreston
  Posted on July 2, 2012 at 5:53pm
  Would look better if Obama was inside the croc.
  
  Report this comment
lukerw
Posted on July 2, 2012 at 4:48pm
Gonna need a Bigger GUN!

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- TulsaYeeHaw
  Posted on July 2, 2012 at 8:16pm
  And a bigger boat….
  
  Report this comment
The_Cabrito_Goat
Posted on July 2, 2012 at 4:03pm
I’d still be more wary of sharks.

Crocodiles are cold-hearted,

But sharks are heartless.

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- v15
  Posted on July 3, 2012 at 12:35am
  Saltwater crocs eat fully grown bull sharks. But with sharks, you can punch them on the nose and jam your fingers into their eyes and they will let go of you. I don’t think a saltwater croc has a weakness though.
  
  Report this comment
fedupwithentitlements
Posted on July 2, 2012 at 3:54pm
Here Bloomberg and other libs wants people to give up sugared drinks & popcorn to fight obesity and God answers with resources to make bigger belts!!!!!!!!

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ronin_6
Posted on July 2, 2012 at 3:17pm
They need to send the ‘Swamp Men’ after the other one. Holy Cats! That thing is huge.

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- pamela kay
  Posted on July 2, 2012 at 3:54pm
  That’s a bunch of croc……shoot it Lizbeth.
  
  Report this comment
- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on July 2, 2012 at 7:53pm
  They’ll have to loose those .22s and get a .30-06!
  
  Report this comment
- The-Monk
  Posted on July 2, 2012 at 9:17pm
  Hi RJJ,
  
  I’m starting to worry about Billy. He was having electricity issues 2 days ago and I haven’t seen him around since then. Got any updates from him? I’m sending requests that he’s OK.
  
  Report this comment
- Msgt Ret
  Posted on July 3, 2012 at 9:06am
  Thats “Choot it”
  
  Report this comment
South Philly Boy
Posted on July 2, 2012 at 3:12pm
One BIG CROC

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TrollBane
Posted on July 2, 2012 at 3:09pm
Crocburgers.

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- cloudsofwar
  Posted on July 3, 2012 at 9:27am
  taste just like chicken.
  
  Report this comment
cranberry
Posted on July 2, 2012 at 3:01pm
How many villagers does it take to make a huge croc?! and, what are they feeding it now? I’ve got some libs in mind that would make a good meal for that croc… lip smackin’ good!

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Guitar Master
Posted on July 2, 2012 at 2:35pm
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
From THE REPORTE
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

These people are barbarians – just look at them ?

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Rickfromillinois
Posted on July 2, 2012 at 2:15pm
Slap some lipstick on it and you have a look alike for Nancy Pelosi.

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Richard_Cranium
Posted on July 2, 2012 at 2:04pm
If Obama had a crocodile…(yes it’s coming)…it would look like this crocodile.

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- RamonPreston
  Posted on July 2, 2012 at 5:52pm
  Obama has a bigger mouth.
  
  Report this comment
- Bill Rowland
  Posted on July 3, 2012 at 6:45am
  Moochelle has a bigger ****.
  
  OMG Nov 6, 2012
  
  Report this comment
blaaaaackwoman
Posted on July 2, 2012 at 2:03pm
More than a ton you say? Why that’s a paltry weight compared to Chris Christie. I say put em on display, charge a fee and reduce taxes now for NJ.

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- Leader1776
  Posted on July 2, 2012 at 2:08pm
  LOL ……….. Good one!!!
  
  Report this comment
- pavnvet
  Posted on July 2, 2012 at 2:21pm
  Christie is doing fine for the folks of NJ and a much more productive member of society than you.
  
  Report this comment
- Msgt Ret
  Posted on July 3, 2012 at 9:09am
  If your gonna poke fun as someones body how ’bout puttin’ the FLOTUS’s AZZ on a scale!
  
  Report this comment
GunnyRet03
Posted on July 2, 2012 at 1:00pm
They didn’t find human reamins in the stomach when pumped. But previous to that a 10yr girl and a fisherman were eaten. Most likely another one out there, the locals say they have spotted one bigger than that one captured.

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- seanscythe
  Posted on July 2, 2012 at 1:39pm
  Elorde said he saw a bigger crocodile escape when Lolong was captured and villagers remain wary of fishing there at night. He said he has formed a team of hunters and is seeking government permission to hunt that crocodile.
  
  Report this comment
- Salamander
  Posted on July 2, 2012 at 8:08pm
  You really don’t want to mess with a salt water croc! I know of a sailor that disappeared in front of his wife while setting an anchor after a particularly challenging crossing! The croc made short work of him–then the local govt went after the wife for their failure to clear customs, 120 miles to weather! I’m not sure that she fared much better than her husband!
  
  Report this comment
TEIN
Posted on July 2, 2012 at 11:52am
“..seeking government permission to hunt that crocodile.” Is it not comforting to know that people need “government permission” to deal with a deadly pest?

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- PaxInVeritate
  Posted on July 2, 2012 at 3:19pm
  And what do you think a hunting license for Deer, Elk, Moose, Caribou, Mountain Goat, Bear, Cougar, Fish, Waterfowl and all upland game is? Try hunting these without one. And before you say Deer are not pests, or dangerous, try growing a garden and flowers, or aproach one during rut season.
  
  Report this comment
cuzifit
Posted on July 2, 2012 at 11:50am
Can we ship it to the White House and let it go! Maybe we can get rid of the rodents that have been infesting the White House for the past 3 years!

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- AmazingGrace8
  Posted on July 2, 2012 at 3:16pm
  If the crock croaked, suitcases could be made and shipped to DC to help the Democrates/Liberals/Communists “pack their suitcases” after the November elections. LOL
  
  Enjoyed (and still do with the re-runs) “The Crocodile Hunter”, Steve Irwin would be amazed at the size of this crocodile. The article mentions revenue from sales of tickets to see this but can’t imagine the cost of feeding this crock. The crock could feed many starving citizens…..would the meat taste “just like chicken”? LOL
  
  Report this comment
lylejk
Posted on July 2, 2012 at 11:49am
That’s one freaking huge crock no doubt. Jeeze. lol

:)

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okredstate
Posted on July 2, 2012 at 11:37am
Sure wish you could view the animal without all the ropes so you can get an idea of the true size. BLAZE: Find some pictures of that.

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- chips1
  Posted on July 2, 2012 at 3:04pm
  just look at the other stories. I’m sure the had a picture of Shiela jackson Lee a few days ago.
  
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BIGGIEWMN
Posted on July 2, 2012 at 11:33am
I am surprised that some of these bleeding heart liberal animal lovers haven’t been having a fit about cruelty to animals or some such charge. Since human life rarely means anything to them, I can see them trying to have the croc put back in it’s native environment, put the area off limits to humans. If they can do that to the farmers in California because of a tiny fish, or stop drilling in the Permian Basin because of a lizard, why not for the world’s largest croc? Just wait, it will happen. And if it, or the other huge crocs eat another child, well, they are just human and we can spare some of them.

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- BeeAlert
  Posted on July 2, 2012 at 2:34pm
  Put the area off limits to humans? NO — it’s the latest eco-tourism hotspot! Ecology these days is all about feeding hapless humans to angry animals, didn’t you know?
  
  Report this comment
sawbuck
Posted on July 2, 2012 at 11:11am
I wonder how many villagers that Croc ate before it was captured..?
Who would have guessed that PITA had one of their branches in the Philippines..
Nothing says tourism like a man-eater on display ..

Of course the “nativel iberals” had mixed emotions on this matter..
They like their “natural population control”…It gives them plausible-deniability …

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- rickc34
  Posted on July 2, 2012 at 11:55am
  Stick them in with him, lets see how much pita loves this monster then. A modern day dinosaur .
  
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- RamonPreston
  Posted on July 2, 2012 at 3:04pm
  You are right, Rick. Reptiles never stop growing and when then get to be a couple of hundred years old they are huge. Dinosaur means “terrible lizard.”
  
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- DesdemonasCrew
  Posted on July 2, 2012 at 3:26pm
  I thought pita was bread?
  
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biohazard23
Posted on July 2, 2012 at 11:09am
That’s A LOT of shoes waiting to be made just for me! :)

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Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on July 2, 2012 at 10:54am
Well, at the least we know where all of those PETA protesters went…gator bait quite literally.

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- DesdemonasCrew
  Posted on July 2, 2012 at 3:09pm
  It’s not a ‘gator. It’s a croc! They are not the same.
  
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