Cassius, the saltwater crocodile who held the Guinness World Records title as the largest crocodile in captivity, has died in Australia at an estimated age of over 110 years.
The massive 5.48-meter (18-foot), one-ton reptile had been a long-standing resident of a wildlife sanctuary on Green Island, near the tourist hub of Cairns in Queensland. For more than 37 years, Cassius lived at Marineland Melanesia Crocodile Habitat, where he became a beloved attraction and symbol of conservation.
In a recent Facebook post, the sanctuary revealed that Cassius had been in declining health since October 15. They shared a photo of him enjoying a meal during his prime years, noting, “He was very old and believed to be living beyond the years of a wild croc.”
Originally from Australia’s Northern Territory, Cassius was rescued from the wild, where crocodiles are a significant part of the region’s tourism industry. “Cassius will be deeply missed, but our love and memories of him will remain in our hearts forever,” Marineland Melanesia added in tribute.
Cassius held the Guinness World Record for the world’s largest crocodile in captivity—a remarkable feat for a creature that had outlived its wild counterparts by many years.
