Crocodile expert coming to measure ‘Lolong’

GOING FOR GUINNESS. Guinness and National Geographic Representatives are coming to Agusan del Sur to determine whether “Lolong” is the largest salt water crocodile in captivity. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

KORONADAL CITY—A foreign crocodile expert is arriving on Wednesday to measure “Lolong,” the one-ton crocodile captured recently in the Agusan marsh.

Welinda Asis-Elorde, media relations coordinator of Bunawan town in Agusan del Sur, where Lolong is currently housed, told the Philippine Daily Inquirer  that Dr. Adam Briton, a zoologist, is joining a 10-member team from the National Geographic already in the country.

Briton was commissioned in 2008 by the Guinness World Records to measure “Cassius,” a saltwater crocodile captured in Australia. Cassius measured 5.48 meters (17 feet, 11.75 inches) and is the current world record holder as the largest crocodile in captivity.

Locals have measured Lolong at 6.4 meters (21 feet).

“Briton was hired by NatGeo documentary but there’s a big possibility the details they will get from Lolong will also be used by Guinness to authenticate if Lolong is the world’s biggest croc,” she said.

Asis-Elorde said the NatGeo team has been in Bunawan since October 31 filming Lolong as well as the Agusan marsh.

She said Lolong last ate on November 2 when he gorged on 20 kilos of pork.

“He always eats now. He likes pork rather than fresh chicken,” she said.

At the same time, people continue to come to Bunawan’s wildlife conservation compound to see Lolong.

Originally posted: 5:35 pm | Tuesday, November 8th, 2011