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    • Cassius, the world’s largest crocodile, died in Australia
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    Cassius, the world’s largest crocodile, died in Australia

    Harry Posted on

    Cassius, the world’s longest captive crocodile and a beloved resident of Marineland Melanesis in Australia, died of natural causes when he was approximately 110 years old. The sanctuary announced that Cassius passed away peacefully after his health had been deteriorating since October 15, 2023. “We will miss Cassius greatly, but our love and memories of him will remain in our hearts forever,” Marineland Melanesia Crocodile Habitat said.

    Measuring 5.48 meters (18 feet) long and weighing nearly a tonne, Cassius held the Guinness World Record for the largest crocodile in captivity. For over 37 years, Marineland has become a major tourist attraction in Melanesia, captivating crowds with its elegance and majestic presence. Seeing this magnificent Australian saltwater crocodile has become the sanctuary’s star attraction, attracting visitors from around the world.

    Cassius was captured in Australia’s Northern Territory in the 1980s after spending its early years wandering waterways. He was known to catch and eat cattle before being captured, attack boat propellers, and even chase tourist boats crossing the Finniss River. His notorious behavior led to his move to Marineland Melanesia on Green Island near Cairns, Queensland, in 1987.

    At the time of his capture, Cassius was estimated to be between 30 and 80 years old and is believed to have been born around 1903. Although he was missing his right leg and the tip of his nose, the injuries likely occurred during territorial disputes in the wilderness. – It was an amazing sight. Former handler Toody Scott described his unique character: “He had big eyes you could look at, and you could look into his soul. He always had that spark that was completely different from working with other alligators.”

    Cassius was named in honor of legendary boxer Cassius Clay, who later changed his name to Muhammad Ali. Its immense size and strength made this name a fitting tribute. Crocodile researcher Professor Grahame Webb, who was involved in the capture of Cassius, recalled: “It was a large, gnarled crocodile at the time. Crocodiles of that size are not normal.” Webb noted that Cassius measured 16 feet 10 inches at the time of his capture, with parts of his nose and tail missing, indicating he may have been even larger.

    Upon his arrival at Marineland Melanesia, founded by George Craig in 1969, Cassius quickly became a beloved member of the sanctuary family. Craig had purchased Cassius in 1971 and his presence helped cement the park’s reputation as a major attraction in the Queensland tourism industry. Crocodiles form a significant part of the region’s tourist attraction, and Cassius stands out as an icon among them.

    Cassius held the Guinness World Record for the largest crocodile in captivity until 2012; during which he was briefly surpassed by Lolong, a Filipino crocodile that was 6.17 meters (20 feet 3 inches) long and weighed 1,075 kilograms. After Lolong’s death in 2013, Cassius regained the title. During his life, Cassius was not only a record holder, but also the symbol of the ancient and powerful crocodile lineage.

    In the weeks before his death, Cassius’s health began to fail. Shortly after October 15, 2023, he began refusing to eat. Staff at Marineland Melanesia provided ongoing care, but his advanced age meant his death was not unexpected. The sanctuary expressed their deep affection in a statement: “We will miss Cassius greatly, but our love and memories of him will remain in our hearts forever.”

    Cassius’s long life was remarkable, with crocodiles generally living to around 120 years. Its life spanned more than a century and witnessed significant changes in the natural world. Although he lived beyond the typical years of a wild alligator, he maintained a majestic presence that fascinates visitors and educates them about the importance of wildlife conservation.

    “Cassius will be greatly missed, but our love and memories of him will remain in our hearts forever,” the sanctuary wrote in his tribute.

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    Sources: Izvestia.ru, BioBioChile, The Scottish Sun, Alrai-media, Asharq News, Expreso

    This article was written in collaboration with prolific artificial intelligence company Alchemiq.



    Harry
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