Coast parties a total crock

DROPPING saltwater crocodiles in backyard pools to swim with kids is a new party craze on the Gold Coast but it could be disastrous if it catches on in Darwin, a local croc expert says.

Pool Party

DROPPING saltwater crocodiles in backyard pools to swim with kids is a new party craze on the Gold Coast but it could be disastrous if it catches on in Darwin, a local croc expert says.

Gold Coast Croco Adventure Company provides young saltwater or freshwater crocodiles that have had their mouths taped shut to get in the water with kids at their pool parties.

Darwin croc wrangler Craig West said he wouldn't consider offering the service in the NT because it was dangerous and "not fair on the crocodiles".

"There's too much that could go wrong," Mr West said. "I'd also be worried about the kids becoming complacent and thinking it's OK to swim with crocs (in other environments)."

Mr West said he was concerned about the stress the pool parties would put on the reptiles.

"I'd be scared for the baby crocs, they're very fragile," he said.

"But the chlorine does clean their teeth and gets the algae off them."

Mr West said that "even one metre salties" can do a lot of damage to a person with their powerful jaws.

He said his four-year-old saltwater crocodile Mick, could "rip (an adult's) leg a part and break the bone" if he didn't have his mouth taped.

"I could think I am getting on really well with Mick but the second I take the tape off (his snout) he will try and bite me.

"Croc awareness is a big thing I focus on. Everyone living in the Territory needs the education.

"You can't tame a croc."

Crocosaurus Cove Darwin general manager Ian Moore said he thought the croc pool parties concept was "stupid".

"It's not something I would ever organise," Mr Moore said.

Gold Coast Croco Adventure Company croc wrangler Tony Harrison said the pool parties were safe.

Mr Harrison said that in "all (his) years (he) had never had a kid injured" by a croc in his care.

"The whole objective of the kids birthday parties is we teach them about the animals and dispel some myths," Mr Harrison said.