HERALD SUN (Melbourne, Australia) 10 December 08 'Croc-proof' jeans a winner for crocodile wranglers (Nigel Adlam)
Four tough Territorians have been recruited for an unusual job - wrestling with crocodiles while wearing designer jeans.
Matthew Owen, 17, Clint Bailey, 24, Luke Byrne, 20, and 21-year-old Kyle Christopher are looking good while caring for salties at Darwin's Crocodylus Park.
British fashion website Lastseason.com asked what they call "crocodile wranglers" to wear-in the jeans for six weeks.
They will then be auctioned online as the world's first "crocodile-proof"' jeans, with proceeds of sales going towards wildlife conservation charities.
Lastseason.com founder Stefano Passantino said: "We wanted to bring back that Marlboro Man feel.
"We also wanted to do something unique that would add value to the jeans in a way that makes them extra special.
"I think people want to see real people doing extraordinary things instead of guys with gelled hair and strange fringe hair styles cavorting around in jeans in a way that ordinary people just wouldn't do.
"We wanted to bring a bit of the bloke back."
He described the men from Crocodylus Park as "the real deal ... tough and hard as nails" and "modern day Crocodile Dundees".
"I want to thank the management at Crocodylus Park for their sense of fun in doing this and we look forward to proceeds going towards conservation efforts and the sustainable management of crocodiles and other animals around the world," Mr Passantino said.
'Croc-proof' jeans a winner for crocodile wranglers