Surrey animal-rights activist Ashley Fruno is urging the Philippine government to free a 21-foot-long giant crocodile suspected of killing two people captured earlier this month.
The one-tonne male saltwater crocodile nicknamed Lolong was caught on Sept. 3 in the town of Bunawan, on the southern Philippine island of Mindanao. Town officials are preparing to make the crocodile — believed to be the world’s largest in captivity — the star of its planned eco-tourism park.
The hunt for the reptile was sparked after a local man went missing in July. Villagers also claimed the crocodile attacked and killed a 12-year-old girl two years ago.
But Fruno, who is based in Manila as a senior Asia-Pacific campaigner for the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), said the reptile is better off released into the wild, away from human settlements.
“There’s no definite evidence that he did kill those people,” Fruno said.
Lolong should be returned to its natural habitat because it might exhibit abnormal behaviour after being in a confined space for so long and endanger the staff at the tourist park and its visitors, she added.
“Even zoos with the best intentions can never replicate the natural habitats that animals are used to,” Fruno said. “Even if he has a large cage, it’s never going to be what he was used to in the wild…. He’s basically sentenced to a lifetime of misery, confinement and loneliness.”
Fruno said PETA is working hard to convince the mayor of Bunawan to change his mind and release Lolong back into the wild.
Local news from metronews.ca/vancouver
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