The Philippine Online Chronicles

“I’m so attached to Lolong. I spend most of my time with the crocodile. I consider him my son now,” said Bunawan Mayor Edwin Elorde after rejecting Environment Secretary Ramon Paje suggestion that the 1-ton crocodile Lolong be transferred to the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife (NAPW) in Quezon City.

“Personally, I don’t agree with that plan,” he said. Earlier, the mayor mentioned plans of making Lolong, considered the largest crocodile in captivity, a local tourist attraction.

He asserted that the provincial government is capable of taking care of the crocodile.

However, he said he can’t do anything if the people of Bunawan find it more prudent to transfer Lolong.

Paje earlier said that Lolong may be better off in a 7-hectare lagoon at the NAPW, as opposed to being kept in a fenced pond in the remote village of Consuelo, Bunawan. He said placing Lolong in Manila will allow more students and tourists to see the crocodile. He also promised that part of the revenues from Lolong will be given to the local government. Pork barrel funds of congressmen will also be tapped to give a Lolong a new home in Quezon City.

Officials from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources said Elorde is attached to Lolong because what was first thought of as a monster has now become Bunawan’s only tourist attraction.

Elorde, on the other hand, said the local government is already working on a wildlife park in Bunawan that will initially cover at least 20 hectares.

He also asserted that the reptile is in good condition though have not yet eaten since Sept. 3.

Experts estimate that Lolong is around 50 years old. Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau director Mundita Lim said Lolong can live for another 50 years if he remains healthy.

His title as largest saltwater crocodile in captivity is yet to be validated by the Guinness Book of World Records.

Studying Agusan Marsh crocodiles

Lolong’s capture has paved the way for more studies on the population of crocodiles in the Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary (AMWS).

Paje said, “This study is going to be scientific, and we will be tapping experts not only from the DENR but also from other stakeholder groups. This study will, hopefully, provide us with the necessary baseline information on the abundance and area of concentration of crocodiles within the marsh, from which we will base our short term and long term management program for the crocodiles in the Agusan Marsh.”

The study will start in November and will involve information and education campaign to raise community awareness on how to prevent future crocodile attacks in the area.