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Lolong fine despite Typhoon Pablo
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(Updated 11:18 a.m.) - The world's largest crocodile, Lolong, is in good condition in his home in Agusan despite the lashing of Typhoon Pablo, according to a report on GMA News' Saksi on Tuesday.
The 21-foot, 1,075-kilogram saltwater crocodile is being kept at the Bunawan Eco-Park and Research Center in Barangay Consuelo in Bunawan town in Agusan Del Sur.
"Maayos ang kanyang lagay ngayon sa kabila ng masungit na panahon," GMA News reporter Jiggy Manicad said in the report.
The Saksi report showed that Lolong's pool was filled, but its enclosure was not flooded. The crocodile is caged in a pen that is approximately 8,000 square meters, with concrete walls that are four feet (1.2 meters) high.
On a "special day," when there is little water in the crocodile's pen, visitors can see Lolong's full body.
A National Geographic team measures Lolong after the saltwater crocodile was caught in the Agusan Marsh on Sept. 3. Richard Grande
As of Tuesday morning, the area was impassable due to floods due to the typhoon.
"'Yung Bunawan Lake na 'yan, 'yan 'yung, diyan nakatira si Lolong. Malaking lake, kaya aapaw ito. Closed traffic na po itong bayan ni Lolong," Usec. Benito Ramos, executive director of the National Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC), said on GMA News' News to Go on Tuesday. In Bunawan town, strong winds uprooted trees and destroyed homes, sending pieces of wood into the Sumilao River. Houses were left without roofs, and residents struggled to save their livelihood, carrying their pigs to safety. According to the report, the whole town was left without electricity, and over 300 families were evacuated.
For the first time in 30 years, water in the Sumilao River rose five meters in only three hours, the Saksi report said. "Talagang sa tingin namin, flash flood siya. Lahat ng nadaanan ng tubig malakas talaga kaya naanod ang mga malalaking kahoy," Bunawan Mayor Cox Elorde said in the report.
Despite the danger, some residents were seen getting pieces of wood that were floating in the river. According to the report, the danger is these may affect communities such as Butuan and Agusan Marsh if they are swept down to the Agusan River.
"Parang pinaka buffer zone nga 'yung pinaka-ano niya. So lahat ng tubig galing Davao, kaya pinaka-useful 'yan, papasok muna 'yan sa Agusan Marsh, kaya hindi mag-flash flood doon sa Butuan City dahil maco-control ng Agusan Marsh 'yan," Elorde said in the report.
Meanwhile, along the highway in Barangay Sta. Cruz in Rosario town, at least 10 electric posts were toppled by strong winds brought by the typhoon. "Delikado naman sa mga pasahero baka tamaan ng kuryente. Live siguro 'yan. Sana maayos na," a resident said in the report.
Many homes were also destroyed due to uprooted trees and strong winds. "'Yung yero sa kapitbahay namin, dito pumunta kasi may ipuipo. dumaan 'yung ipuipo, dito bumagsak sa kanila," another resident said in the report. — Carmela G. Lapeña/KG, GMA News
