An Australian family who thought they saw a monitor lizard peeking into their chicken coop were shocked to discover the scaly lizard was actually a three-foot-long crocodile looking for a snack.
Queensland Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) wildlife officers were called to a Cape Hillsborough home north of Mackay about 9am on Monday after a resident discovered a small estuarine crocodile in his garden.
DESI said in a statement: “Residents initially thought the reptile was a giant crocodile, but upon closer inspection it was discovered to be a small crocodile.”
Fortunately, the family's pets and chickens were unharmed and all were recovered.
DESI staff transported the crocodile to Mackay in a large PVC tube, where it will be kept at the department's center until wildlife officers can secure a new home at an approved farm or zoo.
Senior wildlife officer Jane Burns said crocodiles were very mobile, especially in the summer and after wet weather.
“It's not unusual to see crocodiles around Mackay, but it's unusual to find them in people's backyards,” she said.
“This is a good reminder to everyone living in crocodile country that crocodiles can show up in unexpected places.”
The shocking discovery comes days after wildlife officers launched an investigation after reports that a large crocodile had jumped from the water onto a fisherman's hut at Jane Creek near St Helens Beach, north of Mackay. Happened.
A member of the public reported the incident at 10 a.m. on New Year's Eve.
Barnes said wildlife officers contacted the man the next day, who reported that the alligator swam under his boat, then turned and jumped onto the boat with its jaws wide open.
“The man then jumped over the alligator to reach Tiny's bow and attempt to retrieve the anchor, when the alligator spun, lost his balance and fell into the water, bending Tinny's rails.” she said.
“The fisherman went to the boat launch on Black Rock Creek.
“He told us he had never seen a crocodile this big behave like that in this area before.”
Fishermen reported that the animal had not been on the boat for a long time.
