World’s largest captive crocodile dies at over 110

Facebook (@Marineland Melanesia Crocodile Habitat)

Cassius, the 5.48-meter (18-foot) saltwater crocodile known as the world’s largest in captivity, has died at an estimated age of over 110 years, as reported by Marineland Melanesia Crocodile Habitat in Australia.

Weighing over a ton, Cassius had lived at the sanctuary on Green Island, near Cairns in Queensland, since 1987.

The sanctuary shared on Facebook that Cassius’s health had been in decline since October 15, attributing his passing to his advanced age.

“He was very old and believed to be living beyond the years of a wild croc,” the sanctuary wrote in a heartfelt tribute. “Cassius will be deeply missed, but our love and memories of him will remain in our hearts forever.”

Cassius earned his Guinness World Record title as the world’s largest captive crocodile following the 2013 death of Lolong, a 6.17-meter (20 ft 3 in) crocodile from the Philippines.

Crocodiles are a central part of tourism in the Northern Territory, where Cassius originally lived before being transported to Marineland Melanesia due to his aggression toward other crocodiles in the area.

Since arriving on Green Island, Cassius became a well-known resident and a major attraction, drawing tourists fascinated by his massive size and storied history.

His presence brought awareness to the ancient species and contributed to education about crocodile conservation and safety.

The sanctuary expressed gratitude for the opportunity to care for him over the decades, reflecting that his memory will continue to inspire respect and awe for Australia’s native wildlife.

More from Quirky

  • Scientists rebuild the face of 400-year-old Polish "vampire"

    Buried with a padlock on her foot and an iron sickle across her neck, "Zosia" was never supposed to be able to come back from the dead.

  • Oldest tadpole from dinosaur times unearthed in Argentina

    Scientists in Argentina have discovered excellently preserved fossil remains of the oldest-known tadpole, the larval stage of a large frog species that lived alongside dinosaurs about 161 million years ago during the Jurassic Period.

  • Indian crows threaten native Kenyan birds

    Kenyan farmer Danson Safari was forced to give up poultry rearing after losing hundreds of chickens to attacks from aggressive Indian house crows which are multiplying along the country's coast.

  • T. Rex is at center of debate over dinosaur intelligence

    Surmising even the physical appearance of a dinosaur - or any extinct animal - based on its fossils is a tricky proposition, with so many uncertainties involved. Assessing a dinosaur's intelligence, considering the innumerable factors contributing to that trait, is exponentially more difficult.

  • Horses run amok in central London

    A number of horses are running amok in London and at least one person has been injured, with the army called in to help locate the animals, authorities in the British capital said on Wednesday.