Edwin Cox Elorde, mayor of Bunawan township, Philippines, with Lolong in September.
Photograph from AP
Published July 2, 2012
Lolong has hit the big time—at 20.24 feet (6.17 meters) long, the saltwater crocodile is officially the largest in captivity, the Guinness World Records announced recently.
Suspected of attacking several people and killing two, the giant reptile was captured alive in the Philippines' Bunawan township (map) last September. (See pictures of Lolong's capture.)
The Guinness listing is based on data by experts including crocodile zoologist Adam Britton, who measured the beast in his home, the new Bunawan Eco-Park and Research Centre. (Read more about Lolong's Guinness World Record listing.)
Initially wary of claims of record-breaking size, Britton blogged his congratulations to Lolong "for amazing the skeptic in me."
"I didn't expect to ever see a crocodile greater than 20 feet long in my lifetime, not an experience I will forget easily," wrote Britton, senior partner of the Australia-based crocodilian research and consulting group Big Gecko. (See pictures of alligators and crocodiles.)
The previous captive record-holder was a 17.97-foot-long (5.48-meter-long) Australian-caught saltwater crocodile.
What's more, Britton noted, the 2,370-pound (1,075-kilogram) Lolong may have a sizable impact on crocodile conservation in the Philippines.
For instance, the Philippine Senate recently introduced a resolution to strengthen laws protecting the saltwater crocodile and the Philippine crocodile, a species deemed critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
As Britton wrote on his blog, "this is excellent progress."
Latest News
Trending News
-
Week's Best Space Pictures
The Ring Nebula shines, a volcano erupts, and Germans see the bat signal in this week's best new space pictures.
-
Australia as Climate Predictor
As extreme weather seems to accelerate globally, scientists believe events Down Under can help explain what to look for-and guard against.
-
How to Eat Cicadas
Cicadas bugging you? See our recipe ideas for the low-fat critters, including the new candied cicada cocktail.
Advertisement
Celebrating 125 Years
-
Steady Hands and Fins
Photographer David Doubilet photographs stingrays, sharks, and more.
-
Survival Guide: Dodging Locusts
Swarm behaviorist Iain Couzin has a toxic reaction to a locust at the same time his team runs out of food.
ScienceBlogs Picks
Connect With Nat Geo
