Agusan crocodile biggest on record, makes world news
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Stalked for three weeks by crocodile hunters, the giant man-eating crocodile snared alive in the Agusan marsh Saturday dwarfs the largest captive crocodile currently in the Guinness Book of World Records, and has captured public attention worldwide.
The reportedly 21-foot saltwater crocodile suspected to have eaten a missing fisherman and several carabaos has been a top story on Google News for the past several days, with media outlets around the world fixated on its size and fearsome reputation.
The Guinness Book of World Records lists a 17.97-foot-long (5.48-meter-long), saltwater crocodile captured in Australia as the largest in captivity.
The Agusan crocodile’s captors’ claim of 21 feet for their catch, however, was greeted by skepticism by international experts.
“I’d be surprised if it was truly six meters,” herpetologist Brady Barr told National Geographic News, adding that an expert would need to verify its true length.
National wildlife authorities in the Philippines are still expected to submit official findings, but have already told the media that the crocodile is easily the largest ever captured in the Philippines.
International scientists have expressed a pleasant surprise that the crocodile was not killed. Instead, it was captured alive at the risk of injury to the team that hunted it down in Bunawan town by laying chicken, pork and dog meat as bait in its known lairs.
Professional crocodile trappers from the Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center were brought in to track it down.
Bunawan Mayor Edwin Elorde said local officials had decided against killing the creature and plan to build an eco-tourism park where it will be the star attraction.
The capture of the 21-foot crocodile has prompted Agusan del Sur officials to embark on an active search for more crocodiles in the province’s marshes, GMA News’ “Unang Balita” newscast said Tuesday.
Mayor Elorde said local officials are implementing “entrapment operations” with the belief that more large crocodiles inhabit the Agusan Marsh.
more details http://www.gmanews.tv/story/231648/nation/agusan-crocodile-biggest-on-record-makes-world-news
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