After 17 days, Lolong still won’t eat

A saltwater crocodile swims in a shallow pond inside its temporary cage at the remote village of Consuelo, in Bunawan, Agusan Del Sur. The 20-foot saltwater crocodile, now named ‘Lolong,’ was captured last Saturday by villagers and veteran hunters in the creeks of the remote region. AP

BUNAWAN, Agusan del Sur—Lolong, the 1,075-kilogram (2,370-pound) saltwater crocodile, still refuses to eat 17 days after he was captured in the Agusan marsh.

Mayor Edwin Elorde told the Philippine Daily Inquirer on Tuesday that Lolong has not eaten the dressed chicken given to him by his caretaker at the eco-park.

“But there’s a little progress. Last night (Monday), he kept on looking at his meal,” Elorde said.

Animal experts say crocodiles can go up to 18 months without eating if they had a good meal.

The eco-park formally opened on Saturday.

To see Lolong inside his fenced pond, children must pay an entrance fee of P10 and adults, P20. Senior citizens with identification cards are free.

The mayor said they have opened a bank account  at the Land Bank of the Philippines for the country’s giant captured crocodile trust fund.

He assured that all the money, whether from donations or daily collected entrance fees at the eco-park, will be deposited to the trust fund.

All the money generated from all Lolong’s related activities will be used for his and the park’s maintenance,” Elorde said.

Elorde said thousands of tourists have visited Lolong  since they formally opened to the public the eco-park on Saturday. Jeoffrey Maitem, Inquirer Mindanao