Manila: A team of experts has confirmed that the 6.48 metre saltwater crocodile caught in a swamp in southern Philippines is the world's biggest.
"Lolong," as the reptile came to be known locally, easily defeating the current record holder, "Cassius Clay," another saltwater crocodile which spent most of its life in captivity in Australia. Cassius Clay was measured at 5.48 metres.
A team of experts led by Austalian zoologist Dr Adam Britton made the declaration after visiting the park in Agusan del Sur province in Mindanao whre the reptile has been kept captive.
Distinction
The team, which included a documentary crew from the National Geographic, measured the sedated crocodile with the help of park rangers.
Although Lolong would handily get recognition as the biggest saltwater crocodile in captivity, the distinction remains with the Australian crocodile — named after the famous American heavyweight boxer, Cassius Clay, the original name of Mohammad Ali — which continues to be listed by Guinness World Records as the title holder.
According to reports, Guinness officials will visit the Philippines to officially certify the new record .
Lolong was captured in early September, several weeks after villagers sought the help of crocodile experts after a child was attacked by a giant reptile in Bunawan town. Villagers likewise claimed to have witnessed how the crocodile attacked a cow grazing near the river bank.
The crocodile was named after one of the hunters who suffered a heart attack while in pursuit of the reptile.
Animal rights activists had called on authorities to release the crocodile back into the wild.
