Teh One Who Knocks
07-02-2012, 02:00 PM
The seven metre reptile was captured by villagers in the Philippines last year after a series of deadly attacks
Sky News
http://i.imgur.com/jp6zx.jpg
A seven metre-long crocodile has been confirmed as the largest in captivity.
Lolong weighs more than a ton, and has taken the top spot from an Australian crocodile which measured more than five metres, a Guinness World Records spokesman said.
The giant reptile has been blamed for a number of deadly attacks in a remote area in the southern Philippines and was eventually caught in the remote town of Bunawan.
It has become the star attraction of a new ecotourism park and research centre on the outskirts of the town and has drawn thousands of tourists since news of its capture spread.
Bunawan has earned £45,000 from the modest entrance fees at the park, with most of the money being used to feed and care for the crocodile.
The town's mayor Edwin Cox Elorde said news of the record sparked celebrations, but said there are also concerns that more giant crocodiles might be lurking in a nearby marshland and creek where villagers fish.
"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," he said.
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.
About 100 people led by Mr Elorde pulled the crocodile from a creek using a rope and then hoisted it by crane onto a truck.
He said he saw a larger crocodile escape when Lolong was captured, and villagers remain wary of fishing there at night. Another team of hunters has been formed and he is seeking government permission to start hunting for the escaped crocodile.
It was named after a government environmental officer who died from a heart attack after travelling to Bunawan to help capture the reptile.
Sky News
http://i.imgur.com/jp6zx.jpg
A seven metre-long crocodile has been confirmed as the largest in captivity.
Lolong weighs more than a ton, and has taken the top spot from an Australian crocodile which measured more than five metres, a Guinness World Records spokesman said.
The giant reptile has been blamed for a number of deadly attacks in a remote area in the southern Philippines and was eventually caught in the remote town of Bunawan.
It has become the star attraction of a new ecotourism park and research centre on the outskirts of the town and has drawn thousands of tourists since news of its capture spread.
Bunawan has earned £45,000 from the modest entrance fees at the park, with most of the money being used to feed and care for the crocodile.
The town's mayor Edwin Cox Elorde said news of the record sparked celebrations, but said there are also concerns that more giant crocodiles might be lurking in a nearby marshland and creek where villagers fish.
"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," he said.
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.
About 100 people led by Mr Elorde pulled the crocodile from a creek using a rope and then hoisted it by crane onto a truck.
He said he saw a larger crocodile escape when Lolong was captured, and villagers remain wary of fishing there at night. Another team of hunters has been formed and he is seeking government permission to start hunting for the escaped crocodile.
It was named after a government environmental officer who died from a heart attack after travelling to Bunawan to help capture the reptile.