Lolong's remains to be preserved

The local government of Bunawan will preserve the carcass of Lolong in honor of the reptile, its mayor said on Monday.

"Sa tingin naman namin, although may apektong konti pero hindi naman masyadong apektado talaga kasi nandyan naman yung marsh atsaka pwede naman i-preserve yung remains ni Lolong for display also para continuing attraction pa rin," Bunawan Mayor Edwin Elorde said about the effect of the reptile's death, adding that the carcass of the crocodile might be displayed inside a mini museum.

The Manobo tribe in Bunawan, Agusan del Sur will stage a ritual to thank God for giving the biggest crocodile in the world, Lolong, who died after 18 months in captivity, a local executive said on Monday.

Bunawan Mayor Edwin Elorde said the tribal ceremony is also to pay last respects to Lolong.

"May mga simple ceremony kami before we will touch the body of Lolong in honor of Lolong also. 

"Dahil dun sa belief namin sa Manobo tribe sa Bunawan, I am half-blooded Manobo, so may mga beliefs kami na nagriritual 'yung mga nakakatanda sa amin na may capacity to communicate with other spirits to reach out, nagpapasalamat sa kanila at least binigay nila si Lolong sa amin kahit sa maiksing panahon pero nabigyan kami ng pagkakataon na mabigyan ng magandang kinabukasan 'yung bayan namin," Elorde said in a radio interview.

He said Lolong's presence had spelled wonders for the eco-tourism of the town, bringing in an average of 300 tourists daily. 

"Nagkataon lang na lumabas si Lolong dun talaga naka-takeoff na mai-promote namin yung bayan namin including Agusan Marsh at si Lolong...iyun 'yung mga binibigay ni Lolong mga biyaya at tulong sa bayan namin," he added.

Meanwhile, Elorde said they still wait the official reports from the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau on the cause of death of the reptile.

"Sa ngayon ang instruction sa amin is i-preserve 'yung katawan nya para hintayin namin yung official team ng PAWB to i-evaluate kung ano talaga yung cause of death n'ya. Ma-determine lang yan ma open kung katawan n'ya at saka makita dun sa loob kung ano 'yung mga posibleng hinihinalang pagkamatay ni Lolong," he said.

He noted that the crocodile's stomach became swollen last Sunday  morning and died at night.

The Guinness World Records earlier declared the 20-foot Lolong as the largest crocodile in captivity.