A morbidly obese Bangladeshi crocodile has died after it finally bit off more than it could chew.

The reptile, that was reportedly 100-years-old, was grievously overfed by worshippers at the Hazrat Kahn Jahan Ali shrine in the country's southwest.

The once fearsome croc became so fat because local lore states that those who sate the crocodile shall enjoy good fortune.

Unfortunately, the crocodile's supplicants overdid it, and fed the beast more than he could handle, probably because of the desperation caused by Bangladesh's unstable economy.

"We were aware of the problem but not sure what to do about it," said keeper Mohammed Sarwar.

"The legend is that anybody who feeds the hunger of the crocodiles will have their heart's desire fulfilled.

"Usually it was just a chicken but more recently people have been offering even more, including goats, believing that big sacrifices meant more chance of a wish being granted."

The big fella wasn't the only crocodile at the shrine to be stuffed to death; his three companions had recently died from being overfed, which probably contributed to the centenarian's sad demise.



