21-foot crocodile caught in Agusan del Sur

A humungous 21 foot saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus), the largest crocodile in the world, was caught Monday, September 5, 2011 in Barangay Nueva Era in Bunawan, Agusan del Sur, Philippines. Check out this GMA NEWS online report which includes a video of the huge croc and this Yahoo article with a photo of the town mayor, hands spread wide over the beast, to guage its size.

According to Answers.com several huge crocs captured already reached the 20 foot mark including a 23 footer caught in the Bhitarkanika National Park in the Orissa state of India.

The saltwater crocodile, also known as estuarine or Indo-Pacific crocodile is the largest of all living reptiles. It is found in suitable habitats in Northern Australia, the eastern coast of India and parts of Southeast Asia. (1)

Sept. 7, 2011 update:

*the crocodile named 'lolong' by the villagers is now housed in the ecotourism and conservation park near the Agusan Marsh. See this inquirer article.

*The capture hits the Sept. 6 National Geographic news, experts are skeptical about the size saying that captured crocs has never reached the 18-foot mark and that experts will need to validate the claim. They did commend the team for not killing the creature.

1. wikipedia