Bunawan, Philippines - Local and international humane organizations are now calling upon Bunawan Mayor Edwin Elorde to release what is thought to be the world's largest saltwater crocodile back into the wilds where it can live its life in freedom and not a fenced in pond serving as a tourist attraction.
So far Mayor Elorde has refused stating the safety of the town and its people are at risk.
Last week after finally trapping the 21 foot, one-ton crocodile with steel cables, at least 100 local residents helped to pull Lolong, as he has been named from the creek onto a truck. Mayor Elorde states the reptile has been turned "from a threat into an asset."
Stories of water buffaloes missing and the possibility of Lolong having grabbed and killed two farmers circulate about the city.
Animal rights activists have called on the Philippine government to release Lolong stating he did "nothing wrong except be a crocodile." As humans encroach upon the natural habitats of wild animals, the chance for humans and animals to clash becomes more apparent. As with most wild life that has been pushed out of their homes, they have nowhere else to go.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) representative Ashley Fruno agrees that Lolong should be far removed from where humans live, but wrote that "locking him up in an animal prison is just plain wrong." Fruno contends animals who are separated into man made areas and forced to live in captivity, tend to exhibit psychotic behavior, and considering the crocodile's size and weight, the reptile could pose a great danger to humans.
Lolong's capture made Internet fame last week as 140,000 Facebook fans "liked" the reptilian celebrity.
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