In brief
Cassius, a colossal saltwater crocodile recognized as the largest of his kind in captivity, has sadly passed away at a wildlife sanctuary. Measuring about 5.5m (18ft) long and weighing close to one tonne, Cassius was a beloved attraction on Green Island in the Great Barrier Reef. His journey began when he was captured from the wild in the Northern Territory during the 1980s. In 2011, he secured a Guinness World Record for his impressive size.
Cassius was owned by George Craig, the founder of Marineland Melanesia Crocodile Habitat, who described him as a "beloved mate" and part of their family. Following a health decline after Craig’s move to Cairns last month, the habitat announced Cassius's passing on social media, noting that he had surpassed the lifespan expected of wild crocodiles. The sanctuary thanked all those who visited Cassius over the years and informed that operations might be limited in the days following his death.
