Berry Springs Tavern welcomes a new pet – a 4.5m saltwater croc

Meet the Berry Springs Tavern’s newest pet – a 4.5m saltie affectionately known as ‘Soft Croc’.

THERE’S a new animal attraction at the Berry Springs Tavern – but unlike the rural area pub’s pet deer, goats and emus, this one isn’t quite so cute and cuddly.

Giant saltie ’Soft Croc’ was delivered to his new home by well-known NT croc wranglers Matt Wright and Chris Wilson on Friday.

Tavern owner Ian Sloan said staff were excited to welcome their new pet croc, whose adoption had been about a year in the making.

Berry Springs Tavern's new saltie, Soft Croc. Picture: Instagram/ Matt Wright

“He’s about a 4.5m saltwater croc, and apparently he’s quite lively” he said.

“We thought for our first croc why not get a lively croc? What can go wrong with a lively croc?

“We’re really excited to get him in here and get him settled, and we think he’ll be another reason for people to come to the Berry Springs Tavern.”

Berry Springs Tavern’s new saltie Soft Croc get delivered to his new home by croc wranglers Chris Wilson, pictured, and Matt Wright. Picture: Supplied

Berry Springs Tavern’s new saltie Soft Croc get delivered to his new home by croc wranglers Matt Wright and Chris Wilson. Picture: Supplied

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Mr Sloan said while there were several other NT pubs with their own crocs, the Berry Springs Tavern would be the closest one to Darwin.

We’re the home of croc racing – we’re the only place in the world that does it – so it just seemed like a logical progression to get a new croc in here,” he said.

Berry Springs Tavern’s new saltie Soft Croc get delivered to his new home by croc wranglers Matt Wright, Chris Wilson and others. Picture: Supplied

Soft Croc has been housed in a pond on the tavern premises that’s surrounded by two different perimeter fences.

Mr Sloan said once the croc was settled in he would be fed once a week, and the public was welcome to come down and watch.