After Lolong's death, Guinness returns world record to Cassius

After confirming the death of Lolong in the Philippines, Guinness World Records has "returned" the title of the largest crocodile in captivity to an Australian saltwater crocodile.

 

Guinness World Records as of Wednesday morning listed Australia-based Cassius as the world's largest crocodile in captivity.

 

Cassius was the record holder in that category before it was displaced by Lolong in 2012.

 

The Guinness World Records site described Cassius as an Australian saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus), and currently the largest crocodile in captivity at 5.48 meters, or 17 feet and 11.75 inches.

 

It said the Australian saltwater crocodile is “the largest and most fearsome of today's species.”

 

"Specimens can live for more than 100 years, can grow to 7 meters (23 feet) and weigh more than 1 tonne (1.1 ton)!" it said.

 

Also, it said Cassius is about 100 years old, is thought to eat humans, and is the largest crocodile captured alive in Australia.

 

"He was brought about 3,200 km (1.988 miles) from Australia’s Northern Territory to Green Island in 1987, by truck," it said.

 

On the other hand, Lolong had been described as a saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus), which measured 6.17 meters (20.24 feet) in Agusan del Sur.

 

"He was measured by experienced handlers in his custom built enclosure at Bunawan Eco-Park and Research Centre, Philippines. Lolong's weight was also measured at a nearby truck weigh-bridge and verified as approximately 1075 kg (2370 lbs)," it said.

 

"The capture of the crocodile came after a two-year effort to remove the animal thought responsible for a young girl's death at Agusan Marsh in early March 2009, and later the disappearance of a fisherman close to Bunawan Village. Lolong is said to be healthy and in very good body condition following the regulatory three month monitoring period having exceeded whilst living in captivity," it added. Lolong died Sunday night in Bunawan. On Tuesday, Lolong's remains were subjected to necropsy but the procedure failed to determine the cause of the crocodile's death. —KG, GMA News