Search continues for missing juvenile crocodiles Snap and Crackle stolen from mobile zoo in Sandy Point

TWO freshwater crocodiles, Snap and Crackle, stolen from a mobile petting zoo in Sandy Point, are unlikely to survive Sydney’s cold waters. Police are searching the Georges River.

Daniel Brighton, pictured with two-year-old saltwater crocodile Lillian, is desperate to see Snap and Crackle returned. Picture: Melvyn Knipe

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FEARS are held for the welfare of two juvenile freshwater crocodiles stolen from a mobile petting zoo in southwest Sydney.

Police are investigating after zoo keepers from Get Wild Animal Experiences in Sandy Point reported the two young crocodiles, named Snap and Crackle, missing sometime before 11.30am on Friday.

It is believed they may have been released by their abductors with police investigating reports of a crocodile sighting in the Georges River on Saturday.

The team at Get Wild Animal Experiences hold grave fears for Snap and Crackle, who are three years old and approximately 80cm long.

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Get Wild owner and director Daniel Brighton said it was unlikely the crocodiles would survive in Sydney’s cold waters over the long term.

“Right now, I imagine for these two crocodiles they’re very overwhelmed — big environment, lots of abnormal things are going on,” Mr Brighton said.

“They’re probably quite scared trying to settle and adjust and the best thing for them, honestly, is to come home.”

“They’re actually quite flighty by nature. Freshwater crocodiles, out of the two species we have in Australia, are definitely not as confident and bold acting as what saltwater crocodiles are.”

Mr Brighton and his team have spent the past few days trying to secure the necessary manpower in their search for the missing crocodiles.

Alongside police and volunteers, they have conducted spotlighting and searched the river on boats.

It is unlikely the freshwater crocodiles would survive in Sydney’s cold waters. Picture: Melvyn Knipe

Mr Brighton said the preferred method of capture was the hand grab, which does not involve nets and does not compromise the animals’ safety.

“We don’t know the full story so it’s very hard to fix what we’re not 100 per cent sure about. We’re doing everything we can right now to bring the animals back home safely.

“We’re planning to have more nets, more boats, more manpower as the days go by,” he said.

Mr Brighton urged people not to be alarmed if they spotted the animals but advised them not to approach the crocs and contact police instead.

The crocodiles are nocturnal and are subsequently easier to spot at night.

Police are reviewing security footage and anyone with information relating to the crocs’ disappearance is being urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.