Cassius, the world’s largest saltwater crocodile in captivity, has died at the age of over 110 years. The 18-foot-long crocodile, who resided at Marineland Melanesia on Green Island in the Great Barrier Reef, was a beloved figure and held the Guinness World Record for his size since 2011.
The announcement of Cassius’s passing was made by the Marineland Melanesia Crocodile Habitat on Saturday, expressing deep sorrow over the loss of their “beloved mate.” A spokesperson for the habitat stated, “He was more than just a crocodile; he was a cherished member of our family and brought joy and companionship to his best mate George for over 37 years.” Cassius’s health had declined since October 15, leading to his eventual death.
Weighing over a ton, Cassius was believed to be between 30 and 80 years old when he was captured in the 1980s. It is estimated that he was born in 1903 and was transferred to the zoo in 1987 after being caught from the Finniss River in the Northern Territory of Australia. The habitat highlighted that while he had a missing snout and part of his tail due to territorial disputes with other crocodiles, these injuries did not affect his record-breaking length, which was last measured in 2011.
Toody Scott, who was responsible for Cassius’s care, described him as a “sweetheart.” He fondly recalled, “He had these big eyes that you’d look into, and you could look into his soul.” In a 2011 interview, Scott remarked on Cassius’s gentle nature, stating, “His eyes are so big and dreamy you could get lost in them forever.”
Cassius’s title as the largest crocodile in captivity was momentarily challenged by Lolong, a crocodile from the Philippines that measured 20 feet 3 inches, but Cassius’s legacy remains intact. His habitat expressed their grief, stating, “Cassius will be deeply missed, but our love and memories of him will remain in our hearts forever.”
