Crocodile settles at roadhouse

A MONSTER 4.5m crocodile caught for eating station livestock has been relocated to roadhouse by the Outback Wrangler

Outback Wrangler Matt Wright wrestles the huge croc. Picture: Supplied

A 4.5-METRE crocodile originally captured for eating nearby station livestock has been relocated by the Outback Wrangler to new digs.

Dubbed “Two Dogs”, the saltwater crocodile has been moved to Sandpalms Roadhouse into a purpose built pen, about 100km from Darwin.

The huge croc gets a ride to his new digs. Picture: Supplied

It had been located at one of Matt Wright’s operational bases.

Sandpalms owner Tommy Abdoo said the pen for the monster reptile was complete with shade and a viewing platform.

“I had wildlife officer Tommy Nichols come out and inspect the pen,” Mr Abdoo said. “He said it was one of the best private pens he’d seen.”

The reptile, estimated to weigh more than 500kg, was moved about 15km from where it was being held without incident. Mr Abdoo said they drained its pond to expose it, then lassoed its nose before using a 4WD polaris to drag the monster out of the water onto a trailer.

“He’s a big boy, probably about 60 years old,” Mr Abdoo said. “We’ve talked about moving him for a while but I wanted to build the pen. He was taking livestock at the Finniss River Station and a couple of dogs which is why they caught him in the first place.

“The operation went very smoothly. We got him off the trailer into the pen and he swam up one end then came back and had a nibble on the trailer light while we were taking it out.”

Sandpalms is popular with fisherman looking at accessing the freshwater side of the Finniss and nearby Bynoe Harbour. “The addition of a croc this size will add to the tourists who come here and stay for a few months during the year,” Mr Abdoo said.

Mr Abdoo and his wife Julie bought the roadhouse seven years ago.