US EditionCrocodile caught in an Australian creek 1,200 miles from its tropical habitat
The juvenile freshwater crocodile was caught after a two-day search by reptile experts and emergency services; it is healthy and likely an abandoned illegal pet, officials said.
- The female freshwater crocodile was captured in Ironbark Creek at Wallsend on Sunday night, with NSW Police confirming the operation after the perimeter was set on Saturday.
- Park spokespeople suggested the animal was likely dumped after being kept as a pet, and keeping crocodiles outside the Northern Territory and Victoria is illegal, highlighting enforcement challenges.
- Using a tinny and head torches, Collett's team found and secured the crocodile three kilometres downstream after efforts on Saturday failed.
- Now quarantined at the park, the crocodile is undergoing veterinary checks at the Central Coast park while NSW Police confirmed no further crocodiles and urged public tips.
- About 1,200 miles from its tropical range, the find highlights biosecurity risks Australian researchers warned about in 2025, while NSW Police seizures reveal enforcement challenges.
32 Articles
32 Articles
Santa Maria Times
Independent EspañolMELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Stephanie Kirsop did not believe her son when he phoned her to tell her that a crocodile was walking down a stream near her home.
The Independent
The Independent (US)Crocodile found in Australian creek 2,000km from tropical habitat
A 12-year-old and his friends spotted the juvenile croc early on Saturday afternoon
Crocodile Surprise: Unexpected Reptilian Visitor in Newcastle | Science-Environment
Crocodile Surprise: Unexpected Reptilian Visitor in Newcastle Residents of Newcastle, Australia, were taken aback by the appearance of a crocodile in a local creek, a significant distance from its typical tropical habitat. The family of Lionel Saunders, 12, reported the sighting after capturing it on video.Initially skeptical, authorities eventually confirmed the unusual presence of the juvenile freshwater crocodile, Crocodylus johnstoni, in Iro…
Crocodile caught in an Australian creek 1,200 miles from its tropical habitat
Stephanie Kirsop didn’t believe her son when he phoned to say a crocodile was lurking in a creek near their home.The family live in the temperate coastal city of Newcastle, which is 2,000 kilometers (1,200 miles) south of Australia's crocodile habitat in the tropical north.Lionel Saunders, 12, and his friends had spotted the juvenile meter-long (39-inch-long) croc early Saturday afternoon. Authorities were initially skeptical of the reported fin…
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