The Hunt for Croc Bigger than Lolong is On

The crowning of Lolong as the Guinness Book of World Records’ largest crocodile in captivity made the people of the town of Bunawan more motivated to capture a much larger crocodile. 

The officials of Barangay Nueva Era, which is led by Chairman Teofanies Adlanes, passed a barangay resolution on December 2011 and another resolution last April 16, 2012 to fast track the hunt for crocodiles that are larger than Lolong.

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(Source: Wikipedia)

Large Buwaya Stalking a Carabao

The barangay resolutions were made after residents reported seeing a large crocodile in the vicinity. Residents reported that a large crocodile chased a carabao at Magsagangsang Creek, which is the place where Lolong was caught. Magsagangsang Creek is within the Agusan Marsh.

Residents fear for their lives. The attack to a carabao prompted them to send letters to their barangay and municipal officials.

The Parks and Wildlife Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-PAWB) said that their survey teams did not saw any crocodiles larger than Lolong within the Agusan Marsh. The DENR officials warned the Bunawan residents from capturing crocodiles inside the Marsh because it is against the law.

Another Guinness Record

If the claims of Bunawan residents are true, then there is a possibility that Lolong will be dethroned. All they need to do is to capture the large crocodile and present it to the officials of Guinness. Bunawan will be popular again. The downside is that capturing crocodiles of the Agusan Marsh will affect the delicate biodiversity of the marsh.

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Sources: Manila Bulletin and Balita.

Lolong is Guinness' Largest Crocodile

Finally! Lolong, the great buwaya (crocodile) caught in the town of Bunawan, is recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s largest crocodile in captivity. This confirmation came 7 months after a team from National Geographic visited Bunawan to measure the giant crocodile.

The National Geographic team was led by the Dr. Adam Briton, who is a crocodile expert. Dr. Britton and his team hailed Lolong as the world’s largest crocodile dethroning Cassius from the National Geographic list. Cassius was captured in Australia and was considered as the largest croc before the discovery of Lolong.

According to Guinness World Records website, Lolong measured 6.17 m (20.24 ft) and has a weight of approximately 1,075 kg (2,370 lbs).

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Lolong, the world's largest croc.

Lolong was captured by the late Ernesto “Lolong” Coñate. The hunt was begun because there were reports that a crocodile in Agusan Marsh has eaten a schoolgirl and a fisherman. Coñate died before Lolong was captured by other crocodile hunters in his team.

Local leaders of the town of Bunawan expect that the announcement of Guinness World Records will improve the town’s tourism. Lolong was placed inside an 800 meters pen and many people flocked Bunawan just to see the world’s largest crocodile.

Crocodile hunters believe that there are other crocodiles in Agusan Marsh that are larger than Lolong. It is possible that Lolong will be dethroned by his kin in Agusan Marsh from Guinness Book of World Records.

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