Lolong was captured in the Philippines in September 2011.
Photograph from European Pressphoto Agency
Published February 11, 2013
Lolong is the largest crocodile in captivity no longer.
The 20.24-foot-long (6.17-meter-long) saltwater crocodile died recently at his home in the Bunawan Eco-Park and Research Centre in the Philippines' Bunawan township (map), according to news reports.
In July, Guinness World Records named the behemoth, which was captured alive in September 2011, the largest crocodile in captivity. (See pictures of Lolong's capture.)
The previous captive record-holder was a 17.97-foot-long (5.48-meter-long) Australian-caught saltwater crocodile.
The cause of death is unknown, although a post-mortem may reveal more details, CNN reported.
Biggest Crocodile Boosted Conservation
The giant reptile's death is a loss to crocodile conservation in the country, Philippines' Environment Secretary Ramon Pajeto told CNN affiliate ABS-CBN News.
Indeed, the 2,370-pound (1,075-kilogram) Lolong may have inspired people in the Philippines to "perhaps respect crocodiles a little bit more,"Adam Britton, senior partner of the Australia-based crocodilian research and consulting group Big Gecko, wrote on his blog in June 2012. (See pictures of alligators and crocodiles.)
For instance, in 2011 Philippine Senate 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.
Lolong will still loom large even after death, however—Paje told ABS-CNN that the reptile will be stuffed and mounted.
The reason they caught Lolong was because he was killing people, including a young girl on her way home from school. That croc is just lucky they chose to catch him and "cruelly" impression him. Forgive me, but anything that literally bites a little girl's head off should be killed... animal or human. I love animals, but protecting and avenging innocent human life always comes first.
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wow check out the pic that croc looks miserable that is cruel that croc belongs in the wild not captured STOP ANIMAL CRUELITY
@Taty Anna Animal Cruelty, what a retard..we never relocate animals or take them in when they cant go back into the wild do we? Lets put you in Lolongs mouth...since he's unhappy and miserable. We should sacrifice you to The Great Lolong..It will please the Great Lolong and put you out of your misery at the same time.
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Lolong should have lived a lot longer. They (whoever is responsible) should have invested in a much larger space for Lolong. So large, that the croc will not even know that he is in captivity.
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@Rein Caballero @Wassim Bazzi So what? How many crocs have the locals killed? That's what happens when man encroaches on an animals natural habitat.
@Shamma Lammadingdong @Rein Caballero @Wassim BazziYeah, that 12 year old girl never should have been encroaching on its habitat... She totally got what she deserved. And so did her family.
@Hans Parel He was estimated to be 50 years old, but no one really knows for sure. He was captured in 2011 and died 2/10/13
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