MANILA (UPDATED) - Animal rights activists on Friday welcomed the release of reportedly the largest captive freshwater crocodile back into the wild.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Asia official Rochelle Regodon said in a statement that fishermen's capture of the 2.9-meter-long "Malang" from the Liguasan Marsh in the Mindanao River basin was illegal under the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act.

Crocodile experts and representatives from the Palawan Wildlife and Rescue Center supervised the crocodile's release on Friday.

Mlang Mayor Joselito Piñol, as well as Department of Environment and Natural Resources officials, worked for the crocodile's release.

PETA said Malang would have met the same fate as saltwater crocodile Lolong, which died from pneumonia, cardiac failure, multiple organ failure, and non-adaptive stress response because of captivity.

"In the wild, crocodiles spend hours swimming and can regulate the buoyancy and temperature—called 'thermo-regulation'—of their bodies. No enclosure—no matter how large—is able to provide crocodiles with everything that is natural and important to them," the group said.

"Displaying a crocodile would not bring fame or honor to the Philippines or Cotabato. Keeping Malang in captivity would have only shown a lack of regard for animal welfare, and PETA applauds the city of Mlang for recognizing that," it added.

Malang belongs to the Philippine freshwater crocodile (Crocodylus mindorensis) species, which is endemic in the Philippines.

The local government of Mlang has also passed an order declaring part of the Liguasan Marsh as a protected area. The DENR also declared the area as a critical habitat.

"Pwede pa namang makapunta yung mga mangingisda dun pero distansya from the area mismo," Pinol added.

Barangay Dungguan where Malang was captured is located in the northeastern side of the 220,000-hectare Liguasan Marsh at the tri-boundary of Central Mindanao's adjoining provinces of North Cotabato, Maguindanao, and Sultan Kudarat.

The 59.9-kilogram male crocodile is estimated to be between 10 to 15 years old.

Prior to his release, he was sheltered at a mini park at the Mlang town hall.

The doctors who took care of Malang cut a part of his scale for marking.

He was given a serial number that will serve as a mark so that he can be easily recognized in the wild.