A serious lung disease may have caused Lolong's death, initial findings from a necropsy performed on the giant saltwater crocodile showed. Citing the preliminary report submitted by a team of veterinarians and biology experts sent by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to Bunawan, Agusan del Sur, Secretary Ramon Paje said "Lolong had a late-stage pneumonia and cardiac failure at the time of its death." A conclusive report on Lolong's cause of death is due in two weeks.

De Vera, E. B. (2013, February 22). 'Lolong' died of lung disease. Manila Bulletin, pp. 1, 19.