'Lolong should be in stable condition before being measured for Guinness'

MANILA, Philippines - “Lolong,” the 21-foot crocodile captured in Bunawan, Agusan del Sur, will have to be in stable condition before undergoing examination by a group from the Guinness Book of Records to be officially declared the biggest crocodile in the world.

“They will still have to wait until the crocodile is declared to be in stable condition before putting him on record,” said Mundita Lim, director of the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. 

No date has been set for the arrival of the Guinness team.

“It could be in six months’ time since that would also be the time the animal has gained strength and is back to its normal condition,” said Lim. “The indication of stability is the animal’s eating pattern. If his eating becomes regular, that could be the right time to check on the animal.”

Last week, the giant saltwater crocodile regained its appetite after being stressed from its capture last month.

Bunawan Mayor Edwin Elorde reported that Lolong had consumed 7 kilos of pork. On Monday, the crocodile again fed on 7 kilos of pork. 

Lolong is now kept in a fenced pond at the Bunawan Eco Park in Barangay Consuelo.

Elorde said he was advised by Palawan Wildlife Conservation Center crocodile expert Ronnie Sumiller that Lolong’s diet per month must be 10 percent of his weight.

Elorde, Sumiller and Bunawan Councilor Rolando Nuer will attend the International Crocodile Conference 2011 in Malaysia on Oct. 19 to 21. – With Ben Serrano