By Ben Serrano

BUNAWAN, Agusan del Sur––“Lolong,” the largest crocodile in capitivity so far, is not alone. He was with a far bigger crocodile when he was seen by villagers before his capitivity in 2011, villagers here insisted.

BIGGER THAN ‘LOLONG.’ Nueva Era barangay chairperson Teopanes Adlawan points to an area at Magsangsang Creek in Bunawan town, Agusan del Sur, where he and other villagers saw “Lolong” before its capture. The village chief says they saw another saltwater crocodile––a much bigger one––was seen in the same spot with “Lolong.”
(photo by Ben Serrano)

Nueva Era barangay chairperson Teopanes Adlawan and many villagers said this even as they reiterated their appeal to the Protected Area and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB) of the environment department to authorize the search for the other crocodile that is believed to be female.

Luciano Austero, whose brother Daniel went missing while fishing at Magsangsang Creek in August last year, said the “other crocodile” poses serious threats to villagers. He said his brother was believed to have been attacked by “Lolong’ companion.”

“I and majority of the residents here saw this second crocodile. It’s probably 25 to 30 feet long,” said Adlawan.

Bunawan Mayor Edwin Elorde said PAWB has disallowed the search for another crocodile.

Last May, he said, a family went fishing at the Magsagangsang Creek and allegedly saw crocodiles in front of them. One was described to be “huge.”

Last July, PAWB director Mundita Lim sent a team to check reports about a second crocodile bigger than “Lolong.”

But villagers said the team stayed for only one week, and found nothing.