Giant crocodile captured in the Philippines becomes an internet sensation

Photo of the giant crocodile caught in Agusan del Sur

The giant crocodile caught alive in Agusan del Sur, Philippines recently has become an instant sensation online. With his videos on Youtube amassing more than 800K hits and the Yahoo article about his capture getting more than 150K Facebook recommends and 4K tweets, Lolong (name given to the giant croc) is no doubt the newest internet celebrity.

Suspected in attacking a fisherman and a water buffalo, the huge reptile, a male saltwater crocodile, was captured over the weekend after 3 weeks of hunt. It measures 21 feet (6.4-meter) in length and weighs 1-ton (2,370 pounds, 1,075 kilograms)! It is believed to be the biggest crocodile ever captured in the world in recent years.

According to the Guinness World Records, the largest crocodile in captivity was caught in Australia. It measures 17 feet 11.75 inches (5.48 meters). There were also reports of a 6.2-meter(20.3-foot) male crocodile that was killed in Papua New Guinea in 1982. With that said, Lolong would easily surpass the largest captive crocodile.

Lolong is soon to become the "biggest attraction" in a nature park in Agusan del Sur, a town mayor said.

Meanwhile, villagers and experts are still continuing their hunt for another crocodile which is believed to be larger.

*Photo courtesy of Facebook and its original owner

Giant crocodile has an even larger mate: wildlife official

The giant crocodile that was captured alive in the Philippines over the weekend is believed to have an even larger mate.

Giant crocodile caught alive in the Philippines | Video courtesy of "popis191"

Despite the capture of the one-ton saltwater crocodile, villagers and expert hunters continue their hunt for a possibly larger one.

"There is a bigger one, and it could be the one creating problems," wildlife official Ronnie Sumiller told The Associated Press

"The villagers were saying 10 percent of their fear was gone because of the first capture," Sumiller said. "But there is still the other 90 percent to take care of."

It took about 100 men to pull the huge saltwater crocodile measuring 21 feet long from a river in Barangay Era in Bunawan, Agusan del Sur Sunday morning. Weighing 2,370 pounds (1,075 kilograms), the crocodile was the biggest to be caught alive in the Philippines in recent years.

The effort to capture the giant crocodile has been intensified after several residents have reportedly gone missing for months now. Residents had also reported witnessing the crocodile preying on their carabaos (water buffaloes).

Shortly after midnight Sunday, villagers and veteran hunters set up trap made of wood and steel cables which trapped the crocodile as he went for the bait. It took them at least 4 hours to successfully pull the giant croc out the river.

The crocodile has been placed in a fenced cage in an area where the town plans to build an eco-tourism park.

According to the Guinness World Records, the largest crocodile in captivity was caught in Australia. It measures 17 feet 11.75 inches (5.48 meters). Last Sunday's catch then is the biggest in the world.

Saltwater crocodiles can live for more than 100 years and can grow up to 23 feet (7 meters) long.

Giant crocodile caught alive in the Philippines (Video)

A giant crocodile suspected in attacking several people has been captured alive in the Philippines after 21 days of hunt.

Giant crocodile caught alive in the Philippines | Video courtesy of Associated Press

It took about 100 men to pull the huge saltwater crocodile, which is 21 feet long, from a river in Barangay Era in Bunawan, Agusan del Sur Sunday morning. Weighing 2,370 pounds (1,075 kilograms), the crocodile was the biggest to be caught alive in the Philippines in recent years.

The effort to capture the giant crocodile has been intensified after several residents have reportedly gone missing for months now. Residents had also reported witnessing the crocodile preying on their carabaos (water buffaloes).

Shortly after midnight Sunday, villagers and veteran hunters set up trap made of wood and steel cables which trapped the crocodile as he went for the bait. It took them at least 4 hours to successfully pull the giant croc out the river.

The crocodile has been placed in a fenced cage in an area where the town plans to build an eco-tourism park.

"It will be the biggest star of the park," Mayor Edwin Cox Elorde told Associated Press.

Elorde added that his village was happy that the dangerous crocodile would be turned "from a threat into an asset."

Despite the giant croc's capture, villagers were still warned on venturing alone at night since several crocodiles still roam the outskirts of their farming town, Elorde said.