Agusan wants ‘Lolong’ returned

BUTUAN CITY, Philippines — The Agusan del Sur provincial government called on the National Museum of Natural History in Manila to return its “prodigal son” Lolong, the largest saltwater crocodile in recorded history.

The 6.17-meter Lolong is now a stuffed display at the National Museum of National History after it was taken to Manila for autopsy when it died two years after it was captured in 2011.

Weighing 1,075 kg and 6.17 meters long, Lolong was recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s largest saltwater crocodile in captivity.

In the joint effort with crocodile hunters, the local government and volunteers, Lolong was caught in a creek in Bunawan, Agusan del Sur in September 2011.

According to Gov. Santiago Cane Jr., the original plan was to return the crocodile after the physical forensic examination and preservation. Lolong died from multiple organ failure in February 2013.

Cane stressed they wanted Lolong to come home.

“In fact, Lolong was with us for quite sometime from the time he was captured on Sept. 3, 2011 to Feb. 10, 2013, the day he passed away. The local government invested in constructing a water view park especially made for Lolong where he was displayed publicly. Thousands of people from all over Mindanao and the country came to see Lolong here in Agusan del Sur. It was suddenly a toursim blockbuster,” Cane said.

Cane said the 20-hectare Lolong Park is now refurbished, waiting for the crocodile to come home.

He said a provincial resolution has been drafted and many letters had been addressed to the National Museum demanding Lolong’s return.

Cane said the entire provincial government and people of Agusan del Sur were dismayed with the failure to return Lolong, saying the crocodile has been missed by the people of Mindanao.