A huge crocodile known as Lolong has brought pride,fear, tourism revenue and attention to the remote southern Philippines townwhere it was captured. And now it has claimed a world record, too.
Guinness World Records declared the giant, blamed for deadly attacks before itwas captured last September, is the largest saltwater crocodile in captivity inthe world.
The news sparked celebrations in Bunawan, a farming town of 37,000 in Agusandel Sur province, but Mayor Edwin Cox Elorde said it also fostered concernsthat more giant crocodiles might lurk in a marshland and creek where villagersfish.
"There were mixed feelings," Elorde said by telephone. "We'rereally proud because it proves the rich biodiversity of our place but at thesame time, there are fears that Lolong may not be alone."
Lolong has become the star attraction of a new ecotourism park and researchcenter in the outskirts of Bunawan and has drawn thousands of tourists sincenews of its capture spread. Elorde said his town has earned 3 million pesos($72,000) from the modest entrance fees at the park, with most of the moneybeing used to feed and care for the crocodile and maintain the park.
Lolong measures 20.24 feet (6.17 meters) and weighs more than a ton, Guinnessspokeswoman Anne-Lise Rouse said in a statement seen Sunday. The reptile tookthe top spot from an Australian crocodile that measured more than 17 feet (5meters) and weighed nearly a ton.
Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon Paje welcomed the Guinnessannouncement and the growing attention for the crocodile, saying it would helppeople realize the biodiversity of their surroundings and the need to protectit. He said he would recommend that the government help Bunawan become anecotourism destination.
The crocodile was captured with steel cable traps during a three-week huntafter a child was killed in 2009 and a fisherman went missing. Water buffaloshave also been attacked by crocodiles in the area.
About 100 people led by Elorde pulled the crocodile from a creek using a ropeand then hoisted it by crane onto a truck. It was named after a governmentenvironmental officer who died from a heart attack after traveling to Bunawanto help capture the beast, Elorde said.
Elorde said he saw a bigger crocodile escape when Lolong was captured andvillagers remain wary of fishing there at night. He said he has formed a teamof hunters and is seeking government permission to hunt that crocodile.