Breaking News
On Air Weekend Breakfast! 7:00AM to 10:00AM The Isle of Wight in Real Time
Listen Live Listen Online Follow us
Follow Isle of Wight Radio on Facebook Follow Isle of Wight Radio on Twitter
Current Weather
Sunny
NNW 9mph
9 mph
Sunny
8°C

Giant One-Ton Crocodile Enters Record Books

Sun, 01 July 2012 2:59PM

A seven metre-long crocodile has been confirmed as the largest in captivity.

Lolong weighs more than a ton, and has taken the top spot from an Australian crocodile which measured more than five metres, a Guinness World Records spokesman said.

The giant reptile has been blamed for a number of deadly attacks in a remote area in the southern Philippines and was eventually caught in the remote town of Bunawan.

It has become the star attraction of a new ecotourism park and research centre on the outskirts of the town and has drawn thousands of tourists since news of its capture spread.

Bunawan has earned £45,000 from the modest entrance fees at the park, with most of the money being used to feed and care for the crocodile.

The town's mayor Edwin Cox Elorde said news of the record sparked celebrations, but said there are also concerns that more giant crocodiles might be lurking in a nearby marshland and creek where villagers fish.

"We're really proud because it proves the rich biodiversity of our place but at the same time, there are fears that Lolong may not be alone," he said.

The crocodile was captured with steel cable traps during a three-week hunt after a child was killed in 2009 and a fisherman went missing.

About 100 people led by Mr Elorde pulled the crocodile from a creek using a rope and then hoisted it by crane onto a truck.

He said he saw a larger crocodile escape when Lolong was captured, and villagers remain wary of fishing there at night. Another team of hunters has been formed and he is seeking government permission to start hunting for the escaped crocodile.

It was named after a government environmental officer who died from a heart attack after travelling to Bunawan to help capture the reptile.

More National News

Woolwich Murder: 'Tasered' Suspects Quizzed

Woolwich Murder: 'Tasered' Suspects Quizzed

Sun, 26 May 2013 6:01AM
Hay Festival Embraces Reading Revolution

Hay Festival Embraces Reading Revolution

Sun, 26 May 2013 5:21AM
Texas Flash Floods: More Than 200 Rescued

Texas Flash Floods: More Than 200 Rescued

Sun, 26 May 2013 5:00AM
US: Teenager Arrested Over School Bomb Plot

US: Teenager Arrested Over School Bomb Plot

Sun, 26 May 2013 4:54AM
Man Killed In South London Betting Shop

Man Killed In South London Betting Shop

Sun, 26 May 2013 3:37AM
Google Boss Urges 'Reasonable' Debate On Tax

Google Boss Urges 'Reasonable' Debate On Tax

Sun, 26 May 2013 1:56AM
Cameron To Crack Down On Preachers Of Hate

Cameron To Crack Down On Preachers Of Hate

Sun, 26 May 2013 12:49AM
Froch Beats Kessler

Froch Beats Kessler

Sun, 26 May 2013 12:41AM
Bayern Munich Win Champions League

Bayern Munich Win Champions League

Sat, 25 May 2013 10:48PM
Woolwich Murder: Suspect 'Held Two Months Ago'

Woolwich Murder: Suspect 'Held Two Months Ago'

Sat, 25 May 2013 10:36PM

Local News

Pirate Steals Show At Chillerton Scarecrow Festival 2013

Pirate Steals Show At Chillerton Scarecrow Festival 2013

Chillerton couple Candice and Frank Quinton's "Pirates" scooped first prize in the third Scarecrow Festival.
Red Jet and yacht collide

Red Jet and yacht collide

A Red Jet and a yacht collided this afternoon (Friday) as the high-speed vessel was leaving Cowes for Southampton.
Council to hear child protection and education update

Council to hear child protection and education update

Raising the standards of child protection and education will be a top priority for the new-look Isle of Wight Council.
Volunteers to help tackle speeding motorists

Volunteers to help tackle speeding motorists

Speeding motorists are being educated about the dangers of their actions by volunteers taking part in a police scheme on the Isle of Wight.
170 Years Of Pirates And Play At Blackgang Chine

170 Years Of Pirates And Play At Blackgang Chine

The Isle of Wight’s oldest theme park is celebrating its 170th anniversary this bank holiday weekend.
Vases Not Balloons At Queen Victoria's Birthday Bash

Vases Not Balloons At Queen Victoria's Birthday Bash

Staff at Osborne House are celebrating what would have been the birthday of Queen Victoria.
Registrar service to move for festival

Registrar service to move for festival

The Island's registrar service will move temporarily due to the Isle of Wight Festival.
New charity aims to support mental health service users on the Isle of Wight

New charity aims to support mental health service users on the Isle of Wight

Helping to support mental health service users is the aim of a newly established charity on the Isle of Wight.
Open verdict on Compton Cliff death

Open verdict on Compton Cliff death

An open verdict has been recorded by Coroner Caroline Sumeray at the inquest into the death of a Dorset woman.
Top awards for Isle of Wight tourist attractions

Top awards for Isle of Wight tourist attractions

Two Isle of Wight tourist attractions are celebrating after being given a prestigious award from travel website TripAdvisor.