World’s largest alligator / crocodile (pinakamalaking buwaya) caught alive in Agusan, Philippines

The world’s largest alligator / crocodile (buwaya in the Philippines) has been caught. At 21 feet (6.4 meters) it is as long as a two floor building and weighs at least 600 kilograms (1300 pounds). It is much bigger current world record holder which only spans 17 feet long.

It was caught while rampaging through Agusan Marsh in Nueva Ira, Bunawan, Agusan del Sur. The animal reportedly escaped its handlers twice. Its transport vehicle also had some difficulties owing to its massive size and weight.

The gender, age, and other specifics of the animal is yet to be revealed.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) gave its permission to secure the animal after it has reportedly killed at least two locals as well as livestock.

Check out the video below to see just how ginormous this guy (gal?) is. Just imagine how much bigger dinosaurs must have been!

Video of the world’s largest alligator / crocodile

For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV

Photos of the world’s largest alligator / crocodile

[slickr-flickr search=sets set=72157627475341263]

Update (2011-09-06):

According to newly released information, the Agusan buwaya is supposed to be male. In addition, this BBC report uses the term “crocodile” instead of alligator.

According to this report by the Vancouver Sun, the crocodile is estimated to be more than 50 years old and weighs 1,075 kilograms (2,370 pounds). It also adds that the crocodylus porosus or estuarine crocodile is the world’s largest reptile that usually grows to five or six metres long and can live up to 100 years.

In the Philippines, the term “buwaya” is ambiguous and can refer to both alligators and crocodiles.

Although unverified, according to this entry in Answers.com, a 33 foot long crocodile was caught and killed also in the Philippines in Luzon in the 1880s.

Still, this makes the Agusan crocodile one of the largest if not the largest one caught alive.