Four separate people have claimed they are the owner of a one-metre saltwater crocodile that was discovered by a couple on a stroll in Melbourne on Christmas night.
The custody battle was ignited after Victoria Police asked anyone in the community who had information about the lost reptile to come forward.
The couple stumbled upon the crocodile was in a Heidelberg Heights front yard about 9.20pm on Monday.
Police were skeptical, and thought they would find a large lizard instead, but once they spotted the crocodile loose in the suburbs, officers called in snake catcher Mark Pelley.
Four separate people have claimed they are the owner of a one-metre saltwater crocodile that was discovered by a couple on a stroll in Melbourne on Christmas night (pictured)
The custody battle was ignited after Victoria Police asked anyone in the community who had information about the lost reptile to come forward (pictured)
A video shows snake catcher Mark Pelley trying to capture the croc in the pitch black as it tried to flee (pictured)
Video shows Mr Pelley trying to capture the croc in the pitch black as it tried to flee.
He can be seen lunging into a nearby bush and grabbing the croc by the tail before placing it into a plastic container.
‘Even though I’m a snake catcher, I do have some experience with these creatures as I have a pet baby crocodile at home’ he told The Australian.
Mr Pelley said he has received calls from four different people claiming to be the one-metre saltwater’s owner.
‘I’ll be calling the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning tomorrow and they’ll take everyone’s claims … after four calls from different owners, I’m a little suspicious,’ he said.
He will hold on to the reptile until the department can collect it.
Mr Pelley said the call from police was not only his Christmas present, but “the call [he’s] been waiting all [his] life.
Police were skeptical, and thought they would find a large lizard instead, but once they spotted the crocodile loose in the suburbs, officers called in snake catcher Mark Pelley
‘I’ll be calling the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning tomorrow and they’ll take everyone’s claims … after four calls from different owners, I’m a little suspicious,’ he said