Kids’ worst nightmare: Giant Saltwater crocodile is found hidden inside a waterhole just inches from where unsuspecting children played
- Group of Northern Territory children stumbled across a four-metre crocodile
- Saltwater crocodile was found more than 700km south of Darwin
- Man who was nearby at the time said community was stunned by the find
- NT Parks and Wildlife rangers will relocate the crocodile when safe to do so
A group of unsuspecting children were horrified to discover a massive saltwater crocodile hidden in a watering hole near to where they were playing.
The gang made the discovery on Kelly Creek between Daguragu and Kalkarindji, 700km south of Darwin, on October 18, the NT News reported.
Kalkarindji man Rob Roy was nearby when the children stumbled upon the beast – and said he was shocked to find the crocodile upstream.
Pictures show the four metre croc hidden among dirt with jaws open.
A group of unsuspecting children were horrified to discover a massive saltwater crocodile hidden in a watering hole (pictured) near to where they were playing
The giant four metre crocodile was hidden among dirt with jaws open on Kelly Creek between Daguragu and Kalkarindji, 700km south of Darwin
Mr Roy said: ‘The little kids were following the riverbed back toward the community looking for turtles and stumbled across this big bugger,’ he said.
‘The whole community is in shock, we never thought they’d come this way, it’s too far inland.’
He estimated the crocodile was between three and four metres in length.
The sighting was immediately reported to Murnkurrumurnkurru Rangers who rushed to the scene.
Ranger Harlen Scobie said they were skeptical at first because ‘saltwater crocodiles can come this far upstream’.
‘We weren’t expecting it to be a saltie because no one’s ever seen it, but when we went there it was a pretty big saltie! Maybe three-four metres!’ he said.
Another ranger, Helma Bernard, said the sighting created some excitement among the rangers too.
‘It was exciting for me because it was the first time I’ve seen a big croc like that in a cave with only little water around. We don’t know if it’s a female or male,’ she said.
The rangers have contacted their colleagues from NT Parks and Wildlife in Darwin to help trap and remove the crocodile safely.
A monitoring the motion sensor cameras were set up around the den to make sure rangers can stay abreast of any movement from the crocodile.
They have also warned the community to stay away from the area until the animal is safely relocated.
As a result of the unexpected discovery of the saltwater crocodile the entire area is now on a Crocwise alert.
Saltwater crocodiles are a protected species in the Northern Territory and people need a permit before they can ‘interfere’ with one.
The territory has a saltwater crocodile management plan which aims to ‘maintain a large and healthy population of saltwater crocodiles living in their natural habitat’.
Rangers (pictured) have contacted their colleagues from NT Parks and Wildlife in Darwin to help trap and remove the crocodile safely