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Monster Five Metre Crocodile Caught After Nearly A Decade On The Loose In Australia

Monster Five Metre Crocodile Caught After Nearly A Decade On The Loose In Australia

Park rangers in the Northern Territory of Australia have captured 60-year-old crocodile that they had been tracking for eight years.

Mike Wood

Mike Wood

If you thought that the story about the women's football match being invaded by a kangaroo was the most Australian thing that you'd read this year, then guess again.

A real-life Steve Irwin has managed to capture a 15-foot (4.7m) long, 600kg crocodile after a ten year battle in the Katherine region of the Northern Territory.

PA


According to The Sun, John Burke and his partner, Chris Heydon, of the Northern Territory Parks and Wildlife department, have been tracking the croc for eight years and say that it is the biggest that they have ever caught.

"We average a 4.2 metre croc most years, but never this big," said Ranger Burke.

"When they are this big we just sedate them, so there is no chance of us getting chomped."

But, getting a hold of a crocodile that is nearly 5m long and weighs over 600 kilograms is not actually as difficult as one might expect, according to Ranger Burke.

PA


"We put traps in, conducted numerous spotlight checks over the years ... He was was just much smarter than us. He was wise and he deserves respect."

The Katherine River system is packed with crocs, but rarely of the size of that which was caught by Burke and Hayden.

"Trapping crocs and removing them at Taylors Park assists at reducing the number of crocs that may swim upstream," said Burke.

"By putting a dent in the population, we are safeguarding the Katherine town. It is about reducing the total number overall and the chance of human interaction.

"The really big ones are a bit like an annoying granddad, they like their own space and if you introduce a female, he'll just eat her up.

"We still need to get the other two. Winter is the best time to see them as they'll be basking in the sun. We just have to let the traps do their work."

PA

"People forget crocs can walk. Just because the river level is low, does not mean the area is safe to swim," he added.

"Although this is the biggest we've caught in the Katherine River, there are bigger ones out there that come up from the Daly River," warned Ranger Burke.

"Even though it is dry season, crocs are around. They are always moving around regardless of the temperature. The population is growing. Stay vigilant."

Vigilant we will stay. Away from Katherine River and Northern Territory. For that matter, we'll just stay out of Australia.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Australia News, News, Animals, Australia