The world’s largest crocodile in captivity has died at a wildlife sanctuary in Australia.
Cassius was nearly 5.5 meters (18 feet) long, weighed nearly one tonne and was thought to be at least 110 years old, though his exact age was unknown. The huge saltwater crocodile had lived in the Marineland Melanesia Crocodile Habitat on an island off the coast of Queensland since being caught in Australia’s Northern Territory in the 1980s.
In 2011, Cassius was awarded the Guinness World Record for the largest crocodile in captivity. The habitat’s founder, George Craig, had bought Cassius in 1987 after the crocodile was known for catching and eating cattle, as well as attacking boat propellers, in the wild.
Marineland Melanesia described Cassius as “our beloved mate” and “a cherished member of our family” in a social media post announcing his passing. The habitat said Cassius “brought joy and companionship to his best mate George for over 37 years.”
After Mr. Craig relocated to Cairns last month, the habitat said Cassius’s health soon declined, noting that “he was very old and believed to be living beyond the years of a wild croc.” The sanctuary thanked everyone who visited Cassius throughout his life and said the site may be operating in a limited capacity over the next few days.
Cassius’s death marks the end of an era for the world’s largest captive crocodile, whose impressive size and longevity had made him a celebrated resident of the Australian wildlife sanctuary for decades. His passing will be mourned by all those who marveled at this remarkable saltwater crocodile.
