‘Lolong’ will stay in Bulawan, says town mayor

In this file photo, Bunawan Mayor Edwin Cox Elorde pretends to measure a huge crocodile which was captured by residents and crocodile farm staff along a creek in Bunawan in Bunawan town in Agusan del Sur province, southern Philippines. AP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Mayor Edwin Elorde of Bulawan town in Agusan del Sur said he was surprised of the plan by Environment Secretary Ramon Paje to transfer “Lolong,” the biggest crocodile in the world, at the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center in Quezon City.

In an interview with Radyo Inquirer 990 AM on Sunday, Elorde said he won’t allow “Lolong” to leave his town.

“Lolong” has been kept in a specially-made water park in Bulawan since it was captured in the Agusan Marsh in September last year. Since then, it has become a major tourist attraction for the town and the province as well.

Elorde said the capture of “Lolong” is now part of the history of Agusan del Sur. He said if “Lolong” is brought somewhere else, they will lose the tourists who continue to flock in their town to catch a glimpse of the crocodile. Because of this, many of his town mates will lose their source of income.

For more, listen to the attached audio clip from Radyo Inquirer 990 AM.