Croc caught in Rapid Creek trap

A FEISTY female croc found herself in a snappy situation after being caught in a trap in a popular Darwin suburb

Locals pitched in to help ranger Tommy Nichols retrieve a 3m saltie from a trap in Rapid Creek, just metres from fishos and picnickers. Picture: GLENN CAMPBELL

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A FEISTY female croc found herself in a snappy situation after being caught in a trap in Rapid Creek.

The 3m saltie was first sighted on Friday near the Rapid Creek footbridge and on Saturday was found in a trap along the mangroves.

Territory Wildlife ranger Tommy Nichols rushed to Rapid Creek where he said rangers caught about six crocs a year. “I got a phone call (Friday) but the tide was going out at the time so it could have went out with the tide,” he said.

“She might have stayed in, there’s a couple little holes up here but nothing big.”

Tommy Nichols wrangled some locals in to help him wrangle the croc. Picture: GLENN CAMPBELL

Mr Nichols said female crocs were usually aggressive but this croc was an easy catch. He warned she could have done damage if not caught. “This ones big enough to drown and kill a human easy,” he said. “An adult and definitely a kid.”

The fiesty female was caught and taken to a farm in Noonamah. Picture: GLENN CAMPBELL

Locals Hayden Yovanovic, Praveen Nellikka and Richard Knuth got a lesson in croc catching and helped Mr Nichols secure and escort the reptile from the mangroves.

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“I was happy for the experience, it was my first time ever,” Mr Yovanovic laughed.

The croc was taken by Mr Nichols to her new home in Noonamah.