Last week's haul by the Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources of a record 21-foot crocodile spurred many residents of Agusan del Sur Province to become budding "Crocodile Dundees."

The catch, which broke the Guinness Book of Record's Australian previous haul measuring 5.48 metres, spurred more locals to hunt for larger reptiles on the loose. The search is led by wildlife official Ronnie Sumiller, who headed the team that caught the monster crocodile now named "Lolong."

The capture of the giant crocodile not only bought fame to the once sleepy village of Bunawan, but led to a feast-like celebration among village residents. It also generated more interest in catching loose reptiles that had sowed fear among Bunawan residents.

"There is a bigger one, and it could be the one creating problems," Mr Sumiller told AP.

"The villagers were saying 10 per cent of their fear was gone because of the first capture... But there is still the other 90 per cent to take care of," Mr Sumiller said.

Prior to Lolong's catch, the crocodile was suspected of being behind the disappearance of a male resident in July and the death of a 12-year-old girl who fell from a capsized boat.

To help him catch more crocs, Mr Sumiller trained five Bunawan men and placed on Tuesday 20 steel cable traps using animal meat as bait in the same creek where they caught Lolong last week.

More reptile catches may bring business into the quiet town with 37,000 residents since the local officials plan to venture into ecotourism by building a nature park with Lolong and future croc captives as its crowd drawers.

Philippine laws ban civilians from killing endangered crocodiles. Violators are subject to 12 months prison term and a fine of $24,000 (PHP 1 million).

There is a high demand for crocodile skin in rich Asian nations. The reptile's skin is used to manufacture high-end bags, shoes and even mobile phone cases.

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