Authorities mulling moving crocodile Lolong to QC wildlife park

A bigger stage for the world’s biggest crocodile? This may be the case if a Department of Environment and Natural Resources study favors it. The DENR is now studying moving crocodile Lolong from a one-hectare pen in Agusan del Sur to the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center (64.58 hectares), radio dzBB reported Friday. DENR Secretary Ramon Paje was quoted in the report as saying the move may be a win-win situation for all concerned, as Lolong could attract visitors to the wildlife park. Lolong was captured in Bunawan in Agusan del Sur late last year, but it was not until late June that Guinness World Records recognized it as the world’s biggest crocodile in captivity. The Guinness World Records website listed Lolong as 20.24 feet (6.17 meters) long and weighing 2,370 lbs (1,075 kg). “The capture of the crocodile came after a two-year effort to remove [from the wild] 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,” it said. It added “Lolong” is said to be healthy and in very good body condition following the regulatory three-month monitoring period having exceeded while living in captivity. — LBG, GMA News