NORTHERN TERRITORY NEWS (Darwin, Australia) 05 April 08 Thief steals 18 baby crocs (Rebekah Cavanagh)
A brazen thief has stolen 18 baby crocodiles from a popular Darwin tourist park.
The young salties _ all about 37cm long _ were noticed missing from their pensby staff at Crocodylus Park early last Tuesday morning.
Park hatchery manager Alli Bryce said she was ``devastated'' when she found the crocs had been stolen.
She said the salties would have a poor chance of survival and would probably die from stress if they were not returned to the park soon.
``They get stressed very easily and without the right food and air and water temperatures they are at risk of dying,''she said.
Ms Bryce said the crocs were partof hatchling research she was conducting, comparing captive breeding withwild breeding.
They have identification tags attached to their rear feet and raised scales on their tails have been clipped as a permanent mark of identification.
It is believed the theft took placesome time between 4pm on Monday and 7am on Tuesday.
Ms Bryce said there was no indication how the offender had broken into the park.
Crocodylus Park has been targeted by thieves in recent years with crocodiles, monkeys and turtles among the items that have been nicked.
``Because we are so close to the city and so well known and advertised I'd say that's why we become a target,'' she said.
``While some may think they make good pets or are trying to sell them to make money, a lot of work goes into keeping these exotic animals.''
Anyone who may hear or know of where the crocs are, or are offered one to buy, are urged to call police on 131444 or Crime Stoppers on 1300888000.
Thief steals 18 baby crocs