Task force eyed to manage 'Lolong'

BUNAWAN, Agusan del Sur, Philippines   – Officials of this town are eyeing the creation of a task force that will oversee the management of “Lolong,” believed to be the world’s biggest crocodile in captivity.

Jose Ramirez, municipal information officer, told The STAR that Mayor Edwin Elorde is now conducting dialogues with other local officials to determine who will be the members of Task Force Lolong.

Aside from monitoring the condition of the giant crocodile, Ramirez said the task force will also form a media team that will answer queries from reporters.

He and Elorde had been busy accommodating media visitors and other officials who wanted to have a glimpse of Lolong.

Some local newsmen complained they were given shabby treatment by local officials while television reporters were given special preference in interviewing Elorde.

Ramirez said the ban on public viewing ordered by Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau director Mundita Lim stays.

The municipal government of Bunawan is also planning to establish a theme park for Lolong.

Although Lolong has not been eating since it was captured last Sept. 3, the 20-foot crocodile remains healthy so far, according to Ramirez.

Meanwhile, massive pollution brought about by mining activities in nearby towns surrounding the Agusan Marsh is threatening the habitat of an estimated 5,000 crocodiles living in the marsh, according to an environmental group.

NGO Kalikasan executive director Dr. Miguel Feliciano said dumping of toxic materials by mining processing plants from towns surrounding the Agusan Marsh aggravated the situation, forcing wildlife species like Lolong to demonstrate aggressive behavior, attacking humans and domesticated carabaos.

The group agreed with the observation of Elorde and other crocodile experts that Lolong is not alone as there were many unreported attacks on humans and animals in communities surrounding the 96,000-hectare marsh.

Feliciano said growing population also contributed as a factor.

“Humans encroaching the natural habitat of crocodiles and other wildlife living in Agusan Marsh are now competing with the animals and the problem remains unaddressed. But you cannot also blame these people because they have nowhere to go,” he added.