Lolong's Death (Feb.10,2013)

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-202_162-57568580/lolong-the-worlds-largest-captive-crocodile-dies-in-the-philippines/

Lolong was the largest crocodile in captivity in a Bunawan creep at Agusan del Norte last September 3, 2011. He was 21 foot long (6.4 metre long), 2,369 pound (1,075 kilograms) saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus). He was the largest crocodile that was ever caught where it took 100 people to take him onto land. He was named Lolong in honor of the person who captured it. Lolong was really giant that he may qualify to Guinness Book so an Australian zoologist and crocodile expert Dr. Adam Britton visited him and after 6 months of waiting, Lolong was officially announced as the certified “world’s biggest crocodile in captivity” by the Guinness Book of World Records.

Last February 10, 2013, that was 1 year, 5 months and 7 days after capture, Lolong was found death. According to the spokeperson of the Mayor’s office, Lolong swallowed a nylon cord three weeks ago. That's when he started having chronic diarrhea, after which, his stomach started swelling.

Lolong's captivity and his declaration as the “world’s biggest crocodile in captivity” boost tourism in the Philippine specifically in Bunawan at Agusan del Norte.  It also increases town’s income and gives jobs to people. Lolong is now a celebrity with 300 tourists daily and an income of Php10,000 daily from the entrance fee. If this would continue to grow, for sure, the town would have more and more visitors that will bought them more income. But sad to say Lolong is now dead. People from Bunawan were saddened because they knew that it will affect local tourism in their place. Lolong  

 Is a great helping not just in the city but also in our country because it generates income as well as to the residents nearby who are having little business within the park premises such as selling souvenir item of Lolong. The usual lively park is now a quiet and in peaceful mode.

I recommend that the country declare a national day of mourning in honor of Lolong's memory because it is very rare to have a giant animal as Lolong. Also, Lolong must be preserved and be displayed in a Museum so that tourists who are not able to see Lolong alive will still be able to see how big Lolong is. The government must do this as a thanksgiving for the economic growth specifically in tourism that Lolong brought us.  

Well, the Article about the death of Lolong saddened me, because I was not able to see Lolong face to face. Bunawan is few hours travel from Davao, yet, I did not exert effort to go and see the biggest crocodile in the world! We Filipino must be proud of Lolong.