NORTHERN TERRITORY NEWS (Darwin, Australia) 12 March 06 Croc minus half jaw spotted
A 2-metre crocodile with half its jaw missing was spotted in the Territory yesterday.
The large freshie was basking on a concrete pylon of the old railway bridge in the Elizabeth River, about 30km south of Darwin.
The croc was spotted by Steve Hill and his daughter Neta Henderson, 12, of Humpty Doo, as they were driving to Batchelor last weekend.
They returned to the river yesterday to see if the snappy friend was still there -- much to their amazement it was in the same spot.
"It was great to see one in the wild like that," Mr Hill said. "I've seen them before but not that close to the city."
He said last week he was driving 100km/h across the bridge when Neta said she saw a crocodile.
"I didn't believe her at all, so I went back to have a look and couldn't believe it, it was right there.
"So, when we were driving by again today we thought we would stop and have a look and it was there again. It's obviously made its home there."
Parks and Wildlife ranger Andrew Wood said they had received a similar report of a croc with half its snout missing in that area about a month ago.
"It's not unusual that crocs are in there," he said.
"It's their natural habitat and it wouldn't be the only one there."
He said they would not try and catch the freshie, as it had obviously adapted to having an overshot jaw and was surviving fine.
"It more than likely lost part of its jaw in a fight with a larger croc," he said.
Mr Wood said even though freshies are not as much of a threat to humans as salties, people should still keep their distance and be cautious of them.
"They are just like any animal and will defend themselves," he said. "You'll be left with a nasty bite."
Parks and Wildlife rangers have removed more than 30 crocodiles caught in the 16 traps set up in Darwin Harbour already this year.
Last year, they removed 207 crocodiles, which was 16 down on 2004.
Anyone who spots a crocodile, whether it be a saltie or freshie, is urged to call the 24-hour Parks and Wildlife croc catchers' hotline on 0419 822 859.
Croc minus half jaw spotted