Shanks very much!: Hungry saltie devours cow in Top End billabong

THERE was no sharing allowed in a Top End billabong last week when a 4m croc chomped into a cow as 20 of its mates hungrily looked on. SEE the PHOTOS HERE.

THERE was no sharing on the Corroboree Billabong as a 4m croc chomped into a cow while 20 of its mates hungrily looked on last week.

The dominant croc gnawed its way though the carcass, occasionally fighting off one of its mates who dared to venture too close to the prize catch.

A croc chows down on a cow at the Corroboree Billabong last Wednesday. Picture: Michele Bain

Those out on Corroboree Billabong near Catfish Island, which is near Kakadu National Park on the Arnhem Highway, looked on in awe as the croc chewed on some rare beef and fought off its enemies.

The scene was captured by Michele Bain, who was out on the billabong with her husband last Wednesday.

“There was a lot of splashing and there was a bit of stench when we were first there,” Ms Bain said.

The croc rips off a chunk of the cow with a death roll. Picture: Michele Bain

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The Rosebery resident said at least 20 crocs were counted on the surface and underwater it was a similar story with the sounder revealing the murky depths of the billabong were packed with crocs waiting for their chance to snag a bite of the cow.

“It was one big croc and we think that he’s the one that drowned it and got the prize,” she said.

“There was a lot of splashing as they were all trying to have a piece but the big one wasn’t letting them have it.”

The croc with its prey. Picture: Michele Bain

She said the scene was full on but amazing to witness.

“We saw so many crocs it was incredible,” she said.

“You can see the teeth marks in the cow.”

She said when they returned to Catfish Island the following day the cow had all but disappeared.

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Ms Bain said there were large tracks through the grass that made her believe the large croc caught the cow and then dragged it into the water where it began to snack.

A keen photographer, Ms Bain said she had been visiting the area for years to take photos of wildlife but this was the first time she had seen a croc munching on a whole cow.

The dominant croc fights off a competitor for the fresh meat. Picture: Michele Bain