World’s biggest crocodile Cassius who rampaged across Oz attacking boats & stalking cows dies suddenly aged 120

THE world’s biggest crocodile has suddenly died at 120 years old, a wildlife sanctuary said on Saturday. 

Cassius, measuring an incredible 18ft long and weighing more than a ton, lived tucked away on an island off the coast of Australia.

Cassius, the world’s largest crocodile, has died aged 120Rex

The giant beast had been in declining health since mid-OctoberRex

@guinnessworldrecords/YouTube

He was captured in the Northern Territory, Australia and then transported to Green Island in the 80s[/caption]

The scaly beast once prowled the nation’s waterways by attacking boats and snatching cattle.

Cassius then became the star attraction at the Marineland Melanesia Crocodile Habitat on Green Island, off the coast of Cairns, Queensland.

But Cassius had been in declining health since October 15, the sanctuary said on Facebook.

“He was very old and believed to be living beyond the years of a wild Croc,” a post by the organisation read.

“Cassius will be deeply missed, but our love and memories of him will remain in our hearts forever.”

The group’s website said he had lived at the sanctuary since 1987 after being transported from the neighbouring Northern Territory, where crocodiles are a key part of the region’s tourist industry.

Missing his right leg, Cassius was estimated to be 120 years old, however scientists aren’t sure how old the gnarly beast is.

The saltwater crocodile held the Guinness World Records title as the world’s largest crocodile in captivity.

He took the title after the 2013 death of Philippines crocodile Lolong, who measured 6.17 m (20 ft 3 in) long, according to Guinness.

However, he regained his title after the death of Lolong in February 2013.

Considered a problem croc in 1984, Cassius was captured near a cattle ranch on the Finniss River, southwest of Darwin, in the Northern Territory.

The aggressive croc was accused of snatching cattle and attacking boats.

At the time of his capture, Cassius was estimated to be between 30 and 80 years old, and was the biggest crocodile ever caught alive in Australia.

After he was captured in 1984, he was transported to Green Island in 1987 by crocodile hunter George Craig, who had opened Marineland Melanesia in 1969.

According to professor Grahame Webb, a crocodile researcher who participated in Cassius’ capture, the croc measured at 16ft 10 inches.

He told ABC News: “There was at least another 6 inches of tail missing and a bit of a snout missing.

“He was a big old gnarly crocodile then. Crocs of that size are not normal.”

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