Villagers capture world's largest crocodile

Snapped up: Villagers capture world's largest crocodile (which weighs one ton and is 21ft long)

• About 100 people had to pull the crocodile to a clearing
• 'It was big enough to swallow three men all at once,' says local mayor

By OLIVER PICKUP and RICHARD SHEARS

Last updated at 9:52 PM on 6th September 2011

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It weighs one ton and is believed responsible for eating at least one fisherman, but this monster crocodile has finally been caught by 100 very cautious men.

Measuring 21ft, the massive creature is the largest crocodile captured alive in recent years.

The beast was caught, after a three-week hunt, in a creek in the Philippines by villagers who had lived in fear of it for more than 20 years.

Its nearest rival in the monster stakes is Cassius, an Australian salt-water crocodile which measures a 'mere' 18ft - and which is still on the loose in the Northern Territory.

Scroll down to see a video of the captured beast

Giant catch: Mayor Cox Elorde of Bunawan township, Agusan del Sur Province, pretends to measure a huge crocodile which was captured by residents and crocodile farm staff along a creek in Bunawan

The Philippine crocodile's domain was a river system in Agusan, a poverty-stricken region 500 miles south east of Manila, but while it was a constant threat to villagers no-one was brave enough to try to capture it.

 

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However, when a village fisherman went missing and the crocodile became the chief suspect, plans were hatched in order to catch it.

It was placed under observation and when it was witnessed by several villagers killing a water buffalo they knew their suspicions were right.

Price haul: Residents use their hands to measure the 21ft salt-water crocodile

Long tail: Dozens of local residents gather around the animal, which is believed to have killed a fisherman

Posing: One of the heavily armed captors touches the beast for the camera

'We were very nervous about tackling this beast but it was our duty to deal with it because it was a threat to many villagers and their farm animals,' said the local mayor, Mr Edwin Elorde.

'When I finally saw it after its capture I couldn't believe my eyes.

'It was big enough to swallow three men all at once.'

The operation to capture the crook - which has yet to be named - was set in place after it was seen in a creek.

Villagers set four net traps, which the crocodile destroyed with a mighty snap of its jaws.

So the second time around the villagers used traps made of steel cables and this time the animal failed to get away.

At least 100 men were required to pull the huge reptile on to the banks of the creek where, after a great deal of difficulty, it was bound up and then lifted by crane on to the back of a truck.

They weren't going to let the victory pass without having their photo taken, so many of the villagers posed beside their scaly captive before it was driven off to a confined area.

Despite the suspected death of the fisherman, the crocodile is destined for fame.

It is expected to be the star attraction at a new eco-tourism park that is being set up in Agusan.

'It will be the biggest star of the park,' said Mr Elorde.

'The villagers, of course, are very happy that they have been able to turn this dangerous crocodile from a threat into an asset.'

But the 37,000 people who live in the region have been told not to rest on their laurels.

Many other large crocodiles remain in the rivers and people have been told not to venture into marsh areas alone at night.

 

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Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2034007/Worlds-largest-crocodile-captured-Philippines-villagers.html#ixzz1XD4x5hmY

Giant 21ft killer croc is caught

Captured ... Mayor Cox Elorde and locals with killer crocodile

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By ELLIE ROSS

Published: Today

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A GIANT 21ft crocodile feared to have attacked several villagers has been caught after a three-week hunt.

The one-ton male saltwater beast was trapped in a creek in Bunawan, in the Philippines, on Saturday night.

It is one of the largest crocs ever to be captured alive in the country.

Dozens of locals and staff from a crocodile farm set up traps to catch the monster after reports of a number of savage crocodile attacks.

The reptile is suspected of killing a tragic fisherman who went missing in July.

The croc may now be put into a planned ecotourism park in the southern town.

Mayor Cox Elorde says that this would turn it "from a threat into an asset".

After the hunt, he said: "We were nervous but it's our duty to deal with a threat to the villagers. When I finally stood before it, I couldn't believe my eyes."

About 100 people had to pull the crocodile from the creek to a clearing where a crane lifted it into a truck.

Menyibak Tabir Misteri Berdirinya Masjid Agung Karawang (Bagian II)

OPINI | 11 August 2011 | 15:0611 2  2 dari 2 Kompasianer menilai aktual

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Masjid Agung Kabupaten Karawang Jawa Barat

Keberadaan Masjid Agung Karawang yang saat ini kokoh berdiri tidak terlepas dari sosok Syekh Quro atau Syekh Hasanudin Penyebar Agama Islam di Jawa Barat Khususnya di Karawang. Ia menjadikan Masjid Agung Karawang sebagai Mercusuar penyebaran agama Islam, kisah dibawah ini merupakan penuturan dari Imam Masjid Agung Karawang yang pernah saya temui beberpa waktu yang lalu.
Diceritakan Syekh Hasanudin merupakan putera dari Syekh Yusuf Sidik seorang Ulama Besar dari Champa (Kamboja-red). Ia Kemudian melakukan penyebaran agama Islam ke Nusantara, ketika itu ia berlabuh di pelabuhan Cirebon yang kala itu juga dibawah pengawasan Ki Gedeng Tapa.

Ilustrasi Bagunan Pertama MAsjid Agung Karawang

Kemudian Syekh Hasanudin meminta izin untuk menyebarkan agama Islam di Cirebon kepada Ki Gedeng Tapa yang pada akhirnya menyetujui dan mempersilahkan Syekh Hasanudin menyebarkan keyakinannya.
Namun usaha untuk terus melakukan dakwah di cegah oleh kepemimpinan Raja Padjajaran  yang kala itu di pimpin oleh Prabu Angga Larang.
Akhirnya guna menghindari pertumpahan darah  Syekh Hasanudin memutuskan untuk meninggalkan pulau Jawa dengan bertolak ke Malaka. Oleh Ki Gedeng Tapa, Syekh Hasanudin dititipkan putrinya yang baru berusia 12 tahun untuk menimba Ilmu Agama Islam, putri Ki Gedeng Tapa ini bernama Nyi Subang Larang.
Waktupun berlalu Syekh Hasanudin memutuskan kembali ke PUlau Jawa bersama muridnya Nyi Subang Larang, namun kali ini tidak merapat di Cirebon melainkan memalaui jalur lain yaitu ujung Karawang.
Ia beserta Muridnya menyusuri Sungai Citarum dan menambatkan perahunya di Pelabuhan Karawang yaitu Bunut Kertayasa (Saat ini dikenal sebagai Kampung Bunut-red)
Syekh Hasanudin kemudian meminta izin kepada penguasa setempat untuk mendirikan bangunan sebagai tempat tinggal sekaligus tempat pendidikan (mengaji), tempat tersebut dikemudian hari dikenal sebagai Pesantren Quro (Saat Ini dikenal sebagai kawasan Masjid Agung Karawang) pada tahun 1418 Masehi.

Umpak Batu Pertama Masjid Agung Lama : Dok Pribadi

Mendengar kabar bahwa Syekh Hasanudin telah tiba dan mendirikan kediaman di Bunut Kertayasa membuat geram Raja Padjajaran kala itu Prabu Angga Larang.
Akhirnya ia mengutus puteranya Raden Pamanah Rasa untuk membubarkan pusat pendidikan (Pesantren) Syekh Hasanudin. Singkat cerita Raden Pamanah Rasa datang lengkap dengan pasukan kerajaan menyambangi pesantren Quro, setelah tiba disana ia secara tidak sengaja mendengar alunan merdu ayat suci Al-Quran yang dilantunkan oleh Nyi Subang Larang.
Ia kemudian tertarik mendengar lantunan ayat-ayat suci Alquran tersebut yang akhirnya meluluhkan niatnya untuk membubarkan pesantren dan kemabali ke Padjajaran.
Sejak peristiwa tersebut Prabu Pamanah Rasa tidak dapat melaupakan kejadian tersebut, ia selalu terngiang akan lantunan suara Nyi Subang Larang yang  melantunkan ayat Suci Alquran, sehingga ia memutuskan datang ke pesantren kembali untuk melamar Nyi Subang larang.
Raden Pamanah Rasa akhirnya mendatangi Syekh Hasanudin dan mengutarakan keinginannya untuk mempersunting Nyi Subang Larang. Pucuk dicinta ulam pun tiba, akhirnya lamaran diterima namaun dengan syarat, yaitu mas kawin harus Bintang Saketi (bintang Kerti) yang dilambangkan simbol Tasbih dengan kata lain Prabu Pamanah Rasa harus masuk Islam dan Syarat kedua adalah salah satu keturunan dari anak yang dilahirkan harus menjadi Raja Pajajaran.
Akhirnya syaratpun diterima dan pernikahan dilaksanakan di Pesantren Quro, sebagai penghulunya adalah Syekh Hasanudin atau Syekh Quro dan menurut informasi yang di dapat kala itu Nyi Subang Larang berusia 14 tahun dan Raden Pamanah Rasa kemudian menjadi Raja Pajajaran Bergelar Prabu Siliwangi.
Dari hasil perkawianan ini dikaruniai tiga orang Anak, yaitu : raden Walangsungsang, Nyi Mas Rarar Santang dan Raden Kean Santang.
Kemudian Raden Walangsungsang diberi kekuasan untuk menguasai Cirebon dengan gelar Cakra Ningrat.
Menurut cerita sewaktu Raden Walngsungsang dan Nyi Mas Rara Santang Menuntut ilmu di Makkah, Nyi Mas Rara Santang dipersuntung oleh bangsawan Makkah yaitu Syekh Syarif Abdillah, kemudian Nyi Rara Santang mengganti namanya dengan Syarifah Muadaim dan dikaruniai dua orang putra yaitu Syarif Hidayatullah dan Syarif Narullah.
Pada Tahun 1475 M, Syarifah Muadaim beserta puteranya Syarif Hidayatullah kembali kepulau Jawa, dari situ dikarenakan Pangeran Cakra Buana Telah Sepuh pemerintahan diserahkan kepada Syarif Hidayatullah dengan gelar Sunan Gung Jati, Wallahualam Bisahawab
Tulisan Saya Sebelumnya :
http://sejarah.kompasiana.com/2011/08/11/menyibak-tabir-misteri-berdirinya-masjid-agung-karawang-bagian-1/

Menyibak Tabir Misteri Berdirinya Masjid Agung Karawang (Bagian 1)

OPINI | 11 August 2011 | 14:5015 0  Nihil

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Masjid Agung Kabupaten Karawang Jawa Barat

Kurangnya bukti-bukti peninggalan yang berupa tulisan atau prasasti untuk menyusun Sejarah Karawang khususnya berdirinya  Masjid Agung Karawang menimbulkan berbagai versi sejarah yang dapat ditemui diberbagai dan disajikan dalam bentuj tulisan.
Di sisi lain pyang harus digaris bawahi dan disadari bahwa tidak ada kebernaran sejarah yang mutlak benar, bergantung kepada siapa yang menulis dan dari bagaimana mereka mengambil pijakan penulisan.
Dari informasi yang saya himpun dari petugas DKM MAsjid Agung Karawang dikatakan sudah banyak ahli sejarah yang telah berusaha keras untuk menguak misteri  berdirinya Masjid Agung Karawang, dari sekian banyak versi ada terdapat benang merah yang dapat ditelusuri contohnya adalah dimulainya penyebaran Agama Islam di Pulau Jawa khususnya Jawa Barat di mulai pada tahun 1404 masehi, dimana nyai Subang Larang atau versi lain yang menyebutkan sebagai Subang Karancang, Dikisahkan sebagai nenek Syarif Hidayatullah atau Sunan Gunung Jati yang merupakan salah satu wali songo periode kelima.
Tulisan ini merupakan pengantar dari menguak misteri keberadaan Masjid Agung Karawang dan juga  Misteri Peran Syekh Quro dalam penyebaran Agama Islam di Karawang serta kisah-kisah yang semapat dituturkan Imam Masjid Agung beberapa Waktu lalu.
Tulisan Sebelumnya tentang masjid Agung Karawang Anda bisa lihat di link dibawah ini

http://wisata.kompasiana.com/jalan-jalan/2011/02/18/misteri-masjid-agung-karawang/

Now even ET is making crop circles (with a little help from GPS and MICROWAVES)

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Last updated at 1:23 PM on 1st August 2011

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UFO fanatics clinging to the belief that extra-terrestrials are responsible for crop circles sometimes like to echo the X Files catchphrase: ‘The truth is out there.’

But, as it turns out, the answer might actually be much closer to home - inside your kitchen in fact.

Because, for example, this 200ft image of a pipe-smoking alien – carved into a Wiltshire field – could have been created using an ordinary microwave oven, according to scientists.

From kitchen to field: Microwaves may have created this 200ft alien crop circle near Cherhill, Wiltshire

A handheld device called magnetron – made using parts from the common household cooker and a 12-volt battery – may have ushered in a new generation of crop circles.

Professor Richard Taylor, a physicist, claims to be able to reproduce the intricate damage inflicted on crops using such a gadget developed by his team at the University of Oregon.

 

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He believes similar advances have been made by others – despite avid UFO spotters insisting that the growing phenomenon is beyond scientific understanding.

Prof Taylor said microwaves – the radiation waves that are capable of heating food when utilised in an oven - cause crop stalks to fall over and cool in a horizontal position.

The technique could explain the speed and efficiency of the artists and the incredible detail that some new crop circles exhibit, such as the alien, which was created two weeks ago alongside an ancient white horse at Cherhill, near Stonehenge.

Strange goings on: The two-week-old alien appeared alongside an ancient white horse, near Stonehenge

Dispensing with rope, wooden planks and bar stools that have traditionally been used to create such designs, Prof Taylor suggested these spectacular patterns could also be carved with lasers.

And he believes the satellite Global Positioning System could track the markings.

Mathematical analysis of some of these ever-more complex designs has revealed the use of constructions lines, invisible to the eye, that are used to design the patterns.

Writing in Physics World, he said: ‘Crop-circle artists are not going to give up their secrets easily.

‘This summer, unknown artists will venture into the countryside close to your homes and carry out their craft, safe in the knowledge that they are continuing the legacy of the most science-oriented art movement in history.’

Physics World editor Matin Durrani said: ‘It may seem odd for a physicist such as Taylor to be studying crop circles, but then he is merely trying to act like any good scientist - examining the evidence for the design and construction of crop circles without getting carried away by the side-show of UFOs, hoaxes and aliens.’

But as fascinating as the patterns are to scientists, farmers find crop circles infuriating.

Tim Carson, who owns the land where the recent alien design appeared, has had 125 circles on his land since 1990.

The price in ruined crops is particularly steep this year because of soaring fuel and fertiliser costs, and a 25 per cent drop in wheat yields due to the drought.

Booming: Crop circles in Wiltshire are attracted tourists to the area, but farmers are unhappy with lost income

Cropping up: This circle is one of those that has appeared at Devizes in the last few weeks

Elaborate: This 409 circles in this creation brought the farmer whose land it was on thousands in media fees and helicopter landing fees

‘I’m beginning to get a bit tired of it all,’ said Mr Carson.

‘Each circle costs me £1,000 in lost income. This year, I decided to destroy circles as soon as I found them, but that means losing more crops. And, whatever you do, the circles affect the growing next year, as the thick mat of crops covers soil, compromising its quality.’

Every year, 50 to 60 circles materialise in the rolling chalk downlands of Wiltshire.

In the rest of the world put together, only 40 to 50 appear annually.

And, in recent years, a booming tourist trade has developed. From Belgium, Holland, America, Norway and Australia, crop-circle enthusiasts come in their thousands — each with their own theory, each rushing to a new site as soon as it is reported.

This week, within hours of the first reports of a new circle on Windmill Hill — near the neolithic stone circle at Avebury — a Dutch tour party of nine people rushed to the spot.

‘There are heaps of biophysical anomalies here,’ said the tour leader, Janet Ossebaard, 45, author of Crop Circles: Scientific Evidence.

Hard at work: Crop circles are often made by groups of six who work at night using basic tools such as bamboo sticks, tape, and 3ft-wide wooden planks

‘This wasn’t made by people, otherwise you’d see damage from board marks [where hoaxers lay planks to flatten the wheat]. It’s been hit by a plasma vortex.

‘You can see the burn marks on the crops and cavities,’ she says, holding up a grain stalk, which does indeed have small holes in it.

‘We also found a half-fried caterpillar. This is a vortex that has been intelligently guided — not by hoaxers, nor the Army [which is heavily represented in this part of Wiltshire].’

Crop circles have been reported in England since 1678, when a Hertfordshire news pamphlet referred to The Mowing Devil, a creature that cut a farmer’s oat crop into a series of concentric circles.

In the 19th century, occasional circles were recorded and the first-known photograph of one appeared in Sussex in 1932.

But it wasn’t until the early Nineties that Wiltshire crop circles started multiplying at an extreme rate.

In 1990, Led Zeppelin released an album, Remasters, with a picture on the cover of an elaborate crop circle created on Mr Carson’s land.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2020910/Now-ET-making-crop-circles-little-help-mircowaves-GPS-systems.html#ixzz1TniUcWZQ