World's Largest Crocodile, Lolong, Dies in the Phillippines

Lolong the largest crocodile in captivity has died. National Geographic reported that Lolong was a 20.24 foot long saltwater crocodile who lived in Bunawan Eco Park and Research Centre on the Philippine island of Mindanao.

Lolong was named the world's largest crocodile in captivity in July by Guinness World Records.

"The previous captive record-holder was a 17.97-foot-long (5.48-meter-long) Australian-caught saltwater crocodile," reported National Geographic.

Lolong's cause of death is unknown. Lolong was captured in 2011 and there has been an outpouring of sadness for the crocodile. Environment Secretary Ramon Paje said to CNN that it was a "significant loss for the country's crocodile conservation program." He also called lolong an ambassador.

Paje added that the plan is to preserve Lolong's skin so he can be stuffed and mounted. "With modern technology to preserve even human bodies, we are actually contemplating not to bury him, but will preserve him intact. If this is possible then we will do it," said Edwin Elorde who is the mayor of Bunawan to philstar.com.

Elorde said that a monument in memory of the crocodile will be built in Bunawan and that villagers planned on performing a tribal ritual involving the slaughter of chicken and pigs as offerings at Lolong's funeral to thank forest spirits for the blessings the crocodile brought to Bunawan.

"Wildlife authorities caught Lolong in September 2011, the result of a long effort to track him down after a young girl was reportedly killed in the Agusan Marsh on Mindanao in 2009. The later disappearance of a fisherman from the nearby village of Bunawan was also linked to crocodiles. Attacks on livestock were also reported," reported CNN.

The croc was reportedly named after Ernesto "Lolong" Conate, a local hunter who died of a stroke while helping to capture the crocodile.

Edwin Elorde who is the mayor of Bunawan said to ABS-CBN that before Lolong died the park attendants noticed that his right stomach was bloated.

Adam Britton, senior partner of crocodilian research and consulting group Big Gecko wrote on his blog that Lolong had inspired people to to "perhaps respect crocodiles a little bit more."