Town rejoices in its biggest attraction: the largest croc in captivity

Celebrating the news that his town is officially home to the world’s largest captive crocodile, Edwin Cox Elorde, the mayor of Bunwan, in the Philippines, gets the measure of the monster.

Guinness World Records has declared that the huge saltwater croc, blamed for deadly attacks in the southern Philippines, is the largest in captivity.

Named Lolong, the crocodile was captured last September in Bunawan, in Agusan del Sur province, and measures 20.24ft and weighs more than a ton, Guinness said yesterday. The reptile took the top spot from an Australian crocodile that measured more than 17ft.

Mr Elorde said there were some mixed feelings: “We’re really proud, because it proves the rich biodiversity of our place, but at the same time there are fears that Lolong may not be alone.”

Lolong has become the star attraction of a new ecotourism park and research centre.