The giant 4m Brisbane croc that just won't be captured.
A giant 4m saltwater crocodile has been stalking visitors at the popular Fogg Dam near Darwin, a tourist haunt favoured by those on holiday in Australia.
The Fogg Dam Croc, as it is known, escaped all attempts to catch it four months ago by rangers and it was hoped that he’d moved on from the tourist resort. However he was spotted by an overhead helicopter on Friday, soaking up the sun like a regular holidaymaker!
Ecologist Don Franklin was with a research student studying vegetation from the air, when they spotted the beast. “It was a big croc – you wouldn’t want to meddle with it,� he stated. “It was big enough to swallow a birdwatcher whole. It was just sitting on the vegetation.�
The dam wall has now been closed off by local authorities, fearful of an attack on a holidaymaker or resident.
Just how the sneaky beast has managed to foil attempts to snare it is anyone’s guess, live bait has been left out for it and the area searched by helicopter on regular occasions. However the rangers have vowed that they will capture the cunning croc.
Meanwhile the Fogg Dam Croc would probably have no trouble making mincemeat out of one little fella – Johnie, the cosseted croc from Melbourne!
A freshwater croc like Johnie in its natural environment.
The unusual pet lives with one Vicki Lowing in her suburban Melbourne home just like any other regular family member. She even has her own heated pool – in the family lounge!
And rooms throughout the house have been fitted with heaters and UV lights to keep the reptile nice and warm. Has Ms Lowing never heard of a pet dog?
Any guesses for the pampered croc’s favourite time of day? Yup, mealtimes. Apparently she loves chicken wings.
And Johnie is not the only crocodile to get cosy with Ms Lowing, round the back of the house in a rear bungalow is another heated pool, home to a savage saltwater crocodile named Jilfia. The name doesn’t quite fit with your image of a saltwater croc does it?
But Ms Lowing and her family are quite safe from attacks as the freshwater croc, whilst growing up to 3m for a male and 2.1m for a female, isn’t capable of doing serious harm to a human. They are much more docile than their saltwater cousins, preferring to lounge around – in a lounge in this case!
If you fancy taking a trip down under – and I can assure you that not every Australian has a pet crocodile in their living room – then check out our Australia holiday guide as well as our cheap flights to Australia and snap up a bargain! (sorry!)
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