Lolong, Giant Philippine Crocodile, Should Be Released, Activists Say

MANILA, Philippines -- Animal rights activists urged Philippine authorities on Saturday to return a captured giant crocodile back to the wild, but the mayor of the town where it was caught refused, saying it poses a threat to residents.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals said the 20-foot (6.1-meter) saltwater crocodile nicknamed Lolong should be returned to its natural habitat because if it remains in captivity it is likely to develop abnormal behavior and endanger its caretakers and visitors to a proposed park.

Mayor Edwin Cox Elorde of southern Agusan del Sur province's Bunawan township said about 1,300 residents who rely on fishing in the area could be attacked by the crocodile, believed to be the largest in captivity in the world.

Wildlife officer Ron Sumilier, who led the team that trapped the animal last week, said it may have attacked a fisherman who disappeared from the area about two months ago.

Ashley Fruno, senior campaigner for PETA Asia-Pacific, said natural conditions can never be replicated in zoos or animal shelters, resulting in physical and mental stress for captive animals.

"It's clear that the promoters of this park are thinking only of their bank balance, without so much as an afterthought for the animal's well-being," she said.

Elorde said he was hurt by suggestions the crocodile was captured for the financial benefit of local officials. He has announced that Lolong will be the main attraction at an eco park to attract tourists to the remote town.

"We did not capture Lolong for any commercial reasons," he told The Associated Press. "We captured him to save the residents in the area and to save Lolong" because villagers were planning to poison it.

Groups like PETA "are so quick in making demands without even visiting our area," he said.

Elorde said the one-ton crocodile hasn't eaten since being captured, possibly because of stress. Crocodiles can live for several months without eating.

It is being kept in a 8,610-square foot (800-square meter) pen with 4-foot (1.2-meter) -high concrete walls topped by welded wire.

Comments

[ahzzz]

03:10 PM on 09/16/2011

What the heck is abnormal behavior in a 20 ft crocodile?
They stop eating anything that moves?

[iconico62]

08:31 PM on 09/15/2011

If PETA thinks it knows best how to handle this 20 foot crocodile that endangers the villagers' lives, give it to them. Otherwise, butt out PETA. It is not like the croc is being poked in the eyes by school children, or being stones incessantly, or worse, being forced to listen to political debates or watch Jersey Shores.

[Raj Anurag]

11:02 AM on 09/13/2011

Yikes!!! This thing is huge. In India, we've had our fair share of rogue man-eater animals too. Wolves, hyenas, tigers, and crocs. A hunting party is usually organized to track, trap, and kill the offending animal (sadly they even kill the non-offending ones too). Consider Lolong lucky in that regard.

From what I've read regarding this Lolong beast, since it has already tasted human flesh (I think it had eaten the head of a young school girl a few years back and may have eaten a fisherman this year), it's best they keep it penned in. I'm opposed to killing it, but setting it loose again is quite foolish. It'll just keep on coming back to the village, feasting on the farm animals there, and quite possibly a person or two.

If it can bring down a water buffalo (as reported), a fullgrown man would be easily ragdolled to pieces. To the people demanding to set the croc free, that's just nuts. Don't be naive. Lots of city folk cringe at the sight of a cockroach running around in the kitchen, and promptly squish it dead with a shoe. Imagine having a 21-foot man-eating croc patrolling the front yard looking for a quick snack.

[Num1Christy]

10:07 AM on 09/12/2011

I'm not sure if that's an adequate sized enclosure for the croc, but perhaps if they do make some money from tourism due to the crocs capture they could afford to build it a large enclosure. I believe that would be a proper use of any revenue.

[PATOISJAM]

09:39 AM on 09/12/2011

Asians kill and eat anything that moves so don't think getting that corc from them will happen. They have no adequate place to house it - the poor croc must be feeling claustrophobic. What a misfortunate to live in Asia - they should call Asia - Pollusia.

[mrsentinel]

07:03 PM on 09/12/2011

That's categorically untrue and a complete stereotype.

[PaoCeldran]

08:38 PM on 09/12/2011

Wow ... big0ted much? "What a misfortunate to live in Asia" ... really? At the very least I know a lot more Asians who speak better english than you.

[The Fanatic]

04:01 AM on 09/12/2011

Alaska...not the best example for handling anything. They would skin their own kids and sell baby toe key rings on the side of the road if they thought they would make a buck.

[New Progressive Order]

12:31 AM on 09/12/2011

You should pick your fights more carefully PETA. This one should be left alone. Its a miracle the villagers didn't kill it. But they will if its released and starts snacking on the locals. Not to mention this King Croc will bring in much needed revenue. If there making money they will make sure this guy is well maintained. The people are safer and the Croc will be safer too. Its a win-win.

[Ramon Sunga]

10:55 PM on 09/11/2011

I live in Anchorage Alaska, we have problem bears. But if we have a brown bear that is as big as a King Kong and threatening children and the local population and known to have killed a human being . I bet you it would not last a week and Fish and Game would be auctioning its hide for the highest bidder.

[The Fanatic]

03:57 AM on 09/12/2011

I'm on the side of the villagers, but I also know Alaska and the mentality. My son lived there and he said you dump mattresses and old appliances right on he side of the road..one of the most beautiful places on earth. I also heard you can't even find a street sign that isn't shot up and used for target practice...and how bout all this pelt shops? Furthermore, what's it like to take a stick with a nail in it and use it on baby seals heads skinning them before they die? Face it, Alaska is the worlds largest trailer park. I'm glad my son was only there because he is a professional photographer and came back to the world as soon as he could. I would never admit that I lived in that place, it's certainly nothing to brag about.

[catmando]

09:21 PM on 09/11/2011

PETA needs to stay out of this. The croc has already killed one person, maybe more. The villagers were going to poison it. Now the croc is alive and the villagers are safe. Win-win if you ask me.

[Chad Wheeler]

12:39 PM on 09/11/2011

If an animal like this is released, I worry that the people who live with crocodiles will not feel like they have the support or protection of the government and will start taking measures into their own hands and killing crocs pre-emptively. I do not like to see this animal held in captivity or destroyed but for the greater good of crocodiles, I don't see how they can do anything else.

[mrsentinel]

07:06 PM on 09/12/2011

Get a clue, Chadnick, it's called self-defense. You don't live in what normal folk like to call... reality.

[Chad Wheeler]

07:28 PM on 09/12/2011

Did you miss that I indicated that I cared for the welfare of both parties concerned?

[dannyconda]

09:39 AM on 09/11/2011

Maybe peta could give Lolong his own room at their headquarters like they did with that turkey
that fell off the truck.
Heck, they could even share the same room.

[mrsentinel]

07:06 PM on 09/12/2011

Or.... would they....?

[DrJohnnySkeptic]

07:01 AM on 09/11/2011

'It is being kept in a 8,610-square foot (800-square meter) pen with 4-foot (1.2-meter) -high concrete walls topped by welded wire.'

It sounds like he's living in the lap of luxury.

Att-i-ca! Att-i-ca! Att-i-ca!

[kwaut lizard]

03:08 AM on 09/11/2011

21 FOOT, 2,370 POUNDS, 1,075 KILO, 1 TON ... LIVING DINOSAUR

[Clayton Luke Hunter]

10:33 PM on 09/10/2011

I myself am always on the side of the animal when it comes to re-releasing them. We're the ones who have encroached. At least in this case it wasn't killed right away. When you take an animal of this size and age out of the ecosystem it definitely has adverse affects. The majority will always rule in favor of the overpopulated humans. It's a sad fact. I'm no crazy hippie weirdo but I can see it for how it is. Similar story when it comes down to zoos, circus animals escaping their prison and then being shot and killed because of. We try to control the animals, mother nature, just how we try to control other countries around the world.

[mrsentinel]

07:07 PM on 09/12/2011

Yes you are. With the chinstrap beard? Definite hippie.

[Clayton Luke Hunter]

10:00 PM on 09/12/2011

That's quite funny.

[Gerald OHare]

10:15 PM on 09/10/2011

Hey the people in the area are way ahead of the curve. They DIDN'T kill the gator and they DIDN'T harm the beast during the whole process. Why should they release this beast and then endanger their own people who fish the waters. How about the people agree to release the gator but the PETA members have to swim in the same waters while it is being released.

[Clayton Luke Hunter]

10:36 PM on 09/10/2011

Remember, these crocs and gators were there first. You want to fish there, do it like a man just like all the other animals have to do when they hunt in danger. Survival of the fittest. Oh wait, we're humans, this rule doesn't apply to us. This is "our" planet.

[Gerald OHare]

11:39 PM on 09/10/2011

So are you ready to swim in that water or are you just a city boy talking trash.

[DragonsBane74]

01:55 AM on 09/11/2011

They could have just killed it and ate it for dinner, but instead they gave it a place to live without worry of it being killed

Survival of the fittest, huh? Considering how we humans have evolved, we will survive quite well and animals like this will become food. This is "our" planet because we have become the fittest.

As much as i hate to see an animal like this couped up, this is probably the best option as the removal of this animal will also give the smaller crocs a chance to survive and grow.

[mrsentinel]

07:08 PM on 09/12/2011

"Hmmmm, yes, I rather like that idea."
- Stewie Griffin.