There’s news that’s the world’s biggest crocodile, Lolong, is in the metro. But not on the loose such as that one time an elephant thought it was his day out in Cubao, or as threatening as that reptile in a local province rumored to have eaten a farmer alive.
Life-size replica of ‘Lolong’ newest M.O.A. attraction
Manila-A MARSHLAND and crocodile-habitat exhibit featuring a life-size replica of “Lolong,” the saltwater crocodile that has been declared as the biggest crocodile in captivity by the Guinness Book of World Records, is the newest addition to the Nido Fortified Science Discovery Center (NFSDC) at the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) in Pasay City.
The exhibit was unveiled on Thursday at the mall’s Music Hall, with over 500 students from Pasay City, including Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, getting the first crack at viewing it for free.
Arturo Carballo, senior operations manager of the NFSDC, said the exhibit will be transferred to the NFSDC on Thursday, along with a lineup of new galleries that people can get an exclusive preview of in Discover the Science of Fun: A sneak peek to the new Nido Fortified Science Discovery Center. The NFSDC is also located at the MOA.
The giant reptile, which measured 6.4m (21ft) and weighed in at 1,075kg (2,370lb), had begun to draw local and foreign tourists to the town.
Bunawan Mayor Edwin Elorde said Lolong had been off colour for a month.
"He refused to eat since last month and we noticed a change in the colour of his faeces," he told the Philippine Daily Inquirer newspaper. "Our personnel also noticed an unusual ballooning of the reptile's belly."
Local vet Alex Collantes said that unseasonably cold weather could have affected the crocodile.
Mr Elorde told the Inquirer wildlife experts would conduct an investigation into the death and said he hoped Lolong's body could be preserved.
"In that way, people can still look and marvel at him," he said.
Australian media say the mantle of largest saltwater crocodile in captivity may now pass back to Cassius, a 5.48m reptile housed at a crocodile farm near Cairns in Queensland.
