Agusan bucks Lolong's transfer

BUNAWAN, Agusan del Sur  ,Philippines – Bunawan Mayor Edwin Elorde clarified yesterday that the people of this town would not approve the plan to transfer the giant crocodile “Lolong” and local leaders should be consulted in connection with the animal’s captivity.

“All local government officials of Bunawan and the villagers of Barangay Nueva Era should be consulted if they insist on transferring Lolong and I am sure they will not agree,” Elorde said.

“I think the idea of transferring Lolong is unacceptable to local officials and residents and in my personal opinion, I will not agree to the DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) and PAWB (Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau) idea to transfer Lolong,” he said.

Some DENR officials reportedly proposed the transfer of the 21-foot crocodile from the fenced pond in Bunawan to the lagoon at the PAWB compound inside the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center in Quezon City.

PAWB Director Mundita Lim said that the bureau could take care of Lolong, who could be released in the seven-hectare PAWB lagoon.

The lagoon is part of the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center, a zoological and botanical garden, along Quezon Avenue in Quezon City.

The PAWB manages the 65-hectare park and the bureau’s office is located inside the park.

Environment Secretary Ramon Paje said that if the planned transfer of Lolong – believed to be the biggest crocodile in captivity in the country – is made, visitors who want to see the animal could be charged with a small fee to raise funds for the park.

Mayor Elorde said that Director Lim called him yesterday explaining that reporters misquoted her and it was not her idea to transfer Lolong, but she was only asked the possibility of transferring the crocodile.

“Somebody also from the DENR called me explaining the side of the DENR secretary and DENR’s position on the matter and all claimed they did not even suggest the transfer as it claimed they were all misquoted,” Elorde said.

Elorde explained that many have extended their effort, time, and even money just to rescue Lolong from the wild because of the threat to kill or trap the giant crocodile and the idea of transferring Lolong is not acceptable to the people who have spent much time and effort on it.

“It is not personal attachments to Lolong or whatever that we disagree, it is the people’s will because Lolong really belongs to Bunawan, no more, no less,” Elorde said.