Crocodile spotted in Durack Lakes, Palmerston, on Christmas Day

A sneaky snappy spotted by a Palmerston dad and his toddler son put a halt to their Christmas fishing plans. Watch the video.

Not many people could say a crocodile put a stop to their Chrissy Day plans, but that is nothing out of the ordinary for one Territory family.

Durack resident Ted Havelberg and his two-year-old son Hunter headed down to the Durack Lakes for fish on Sunday afternoon, only to find a little freshwater snappy claiming the small water catchment.

The croc was spotted in the lakes just off Woodlake Boulevard, about 100m away from the Havelberg’s home.

A similar-sized freshwater croc sighted in the Durack Lakes in 2017. Picture: Anita Jones

“Young fella wanted to go for a fish and test out some lures he got for Christmas,” Mr Havelberg said.

“Then we saw a little freshie sitting there, just cruising around.

“I’d say it was about a metre to one-and-a-half metres.”

Mr Havelberg said it was not the first crocodile he had seen in the suburban lakes over eight years’ living in the area.

“I’ve seen a few getting around … one was actually a saltie a few years back,” he said.

“The Palmerston City Council and Department of Environment always deal with it and truck a trap in.”

But for little Hunter, it was the first crocodile he had spotted around his home.

“He actually wanted to catch it,” Mr Havelberg said.

“But he does know if he sees a crocodile that they go ‘snap snap’ and to stay away.

“The young fella is pretty keen, he wants to go to the lake every day.”

A Department of Environment, Parks and Water Security spokeswoman said the croc is believed to have been there since at least 2017.

It so far has not been fooled by a long-standing trap set up in the lakes, and was even caught sunning itself on the trap’s roof one day.

A little croc was found soaking up the sun on top of the croc trap at Durack Lakes in 2017. Picture: Supplied

Like saltwater crocodiles, freshies are protected animals and will be relocated if they pose a risk to people.

More than 270 saltwater crocodiles have been caught in the Territory this year, compared to 313 throughout last year.

To report a problem crocodile or if you see a crocodile caught in a trap, call a ranger in Darwin on 0419 822 859 or in Katherine on 0407 958 405.

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Originally published as Crocodile spotted in Durack Lakes, Palmerston, on Christmas Day