LOLONG

Lolong

A photograph of Lolong during captivity

Species Crocodylus porosus (Saltwater crocodile) Sex Male Died 10 February 2013 Bunawan, Agusan del Sur, Philippines Resting place National Museum of Natural History, Manila Known for Guinness World Record "world's largest crocodile in captivity" Weight 1,075 kg (2,370 lb)

Lolong(died 10 February 2013) was the largestcrocodile in captivity. He was a saltwater crocodile ( Crocodylus porosus ) measured at 6.17 m (20 ft 3 in), and weighed 1,075 kg (2,370 lb), making him one of the largest crocodiles ever measured from snout-to-tail. [1] [2] [3] [4]

In November 2011, Australian crocodile expert Dr. Adam Britton ofNational Geographic sedated and measured Lolong in his enclosure and confirmed him as the world's largest crocodile ever caught and placed in captivity. [5] [2]

Lolong died in captivity at around 8 pm on 10 February 2013 frompneumonia and cardiac

Captivity and display [ edit ]

Bunawan made Lolong the centerpiece of an ecotourism park for species found in the marshlands near the township. Mayor Elorde said, "We will take care of this crocodile because this will boost our tourism and we know it can help in terms of town's income and jobs to our village communities."

The giant crocodile was kept in an enclosure (which was in poor condition [ citation needed ] ) in the Bunawan Ecopark and Wildlife Reservation Center in Barangay Consuelo located 8 km from town. The exhibit was opened to the public on 17 September 2011, after permission was received from the Palawan Wildlife and Conservation Center. The Bunawan Municipal Council subsequently passed an ordinance regulating and imposing fees on gate entrance, parking, and other fees at the ecopark where the celebrity giant crocodile resided in captivity.

Although the ecopark has a 20-peso entrance fee for adults and less for the children, these proceeds will be used for park maintenance and Lolong's food. [13] The Bunawan Ecopark is also incurring expenses for electricity, maintenance, and other incidental expenses, such as installation of CCTV cameras. According to Bunawan Mayor Elorde, up to 26 October 2011, the celebrity crocodile had already earned nearly half million pesos in donations, entrance fees, and parking fees, with a daily income of about P 10,000 that month. [14]

Captivity and display [ edit ]

Bunawan made Lolong the centerpiece of an ecotourism park for species found in the marshlands near the township. Mayor Elorde said, "We will take care of this crocodile because this will boost our tourism and we know it can help in terms of town's income and jobs to our village communities."

The giant crocodile was kept in an enclosure (which was in poor condition [ citation needed ] ) in the Bunawan Ecopark and Wildlife Reservation Center in Barangay Consuelo located 8 km from town. The exhibit was opened to the public on 17 September 2011, after permission was received from the Palawan Wildlife and Conservation Center. The Bunawan Municipal Council subsequently passed an ordinance regulating and imposing fees on gate entrance, parking, and other fees at the ecopark where the celebrity giant crocodile resided in captivity.

Although the ecopark has a 20-peso entrance fee for adults and less for the children, these proceeds will be used for park maintenance and Lolong's food. [13] The Bunawan Ecopark is also incurring expenses for electricity, maintenance, and other incidental expenses, such as installation of CCTV cameras. According to Bunawan Mayor Elorde, up to 26 October 2011, the celebrity crocodile had already earned nearly half million pesos in donations, entrance fees, and parking fees, with a daily income of about P 10,000 that month. [14]

Bunawan Ecopark and Research Center plans [ edit ]

Bunawan Media Affairs Coordinator Welinda Asis-Elorde said the local government unit, through a private-public partnership project, will be embarking on a P200-million site development project for the Bunawan Ecopark and Research Center.

"You have more than 5,000 crocodiles, some of them are giants bigger even than Lolong at Agusan Marsh here in Bunawan, therefore we need a longer plan for more visitors to come and visit this homeland of the giants. We are embarking on this P200-million project now and for future generations", she said.

Bunawan Municipal Planning & Development Officer Robert Floyd Salise, told PNA in an interview that the project will include the construction of cottages, lodging houses or inns, swimming pools, an amphitheatre, laboratory and research center, souvenir shops, pavilion, and other amenities. [14