A 21-foot (6.4-meter) male saltwater crocodile is now under captivity in Bunawan, Agusan del Sur which is located in the eastern part of Mindanao island in the Philippines. The crocodile is said to be the largest living of its kind in the world and is named “Lolong” in honor of the person who captured it.

According to reports, the crocodile will be transferred into an eco-tourism park but animal rights activists are urging the government to release the crocodile into the wilderness. Netizens debate whether it’s right to keep ‘Lolong’ in captivity. Below are some twitter and facebook reactions

@jamelaaisha: I worry for the kind of themed park they will create for the croc in #Agusan. No natural habitat for him to live in freely and safely?

@aaaussy: AWW the giant croc at Agusan has zoochosis aka depression from being in captivity! Hug giant croc! It's World Suicide Prevention Day!

@harold_geronimo: Sometimes I can't understand PETA's cause. It's absurd to ask for d release of the giant croc that can devour five human beings in one meal.

@jeroplane :Not sure if putting that croc in an ecotourism park is a good idea, but I'd be terrified to know that something that big is roaming free

@liberated_jr03 I understand that animals like Lolong should be released back to the wild. However, we don't have an area far from the communities.

@AntonioAEmberda: How long would it take to find another “Lolong” from among those rehabilitated / reforested mining sites?

Love Anover: just a thought!BUWAYANG LOLONG is almost a 100yrs resident of the AGUSAN MARSH w/c is a protected area by the way.NOT EVEN PROVEN yet na SIYA ang pumapatay sa mga tao dun di ba?bakit kailangan siyang palayasin sa KANYANG TAHANAN?

'Lolong' crocodile photo has gone viral online

Since crocodiles are often associated with corrupt politicians, it seems inevitable for many netizens to compare ‘Lolong’ with controversial Filipino politicians

@kingdjlogan: Big Croc in Agusan del Sur Phils is currently the largest in Captivity. The bigger one from Pampanga was just released from the hospital. (author’s note: Pampanga is the home province of former President Gloria Arroyo who is currently facing several plunder charges. She was recently discharged from the hospital after undergoing an operation.)

@tonyocruz: Tandaan: Maraming mas malalaking buwaya sa pamahalaan.

@jocereisma: Crocodile captured. FG in the hospital. Congressman punched a security guard. hanuva yan, puro na lang BUWAYA ang balita ngayon!

@RAndRat: Giant croc is “stressed” and needs “time to heal”… Sounds suspiciously like the Arroyos…

@adeltamano: World's biggest crocodile caught in Agusan del Sur. Traditional Politicians are advised to be careful when traveling in that region.

Jograts Mountaineers: Bakit hndi na lng mga tunay na Buwaya sa Gobyerno ang ikulong. kaya pakawalan si Lolong sa wild.. ;)

Daniel Radcliff Jazmin III: Di ako naniniwala na si Lolong ang biggest crocodile…………..BUTIKI lang siya kumpara sa nakararami sa GOBYERNO!

Below is a youtube video of ‘Lolong’ right after it was captured

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iamtsPypgXQ&feature=player_embedded#!