Melbourne:
An Australian family faced a very surreal moment when an uninvited guest, a 1.7-metre crocodile, sneaked into their living room in Darwin.
The family living in Bees Creek in the Northern Territory woke up early yesterday morning to their dog's barking and went to investigate.
They discovered that a saltwater crocodile had wandered into a living area which is partly open to the surrounding bush.
Jo Dodd says she got a fright when she discovered the crocodile in her house.
"It was the most freakiest thing - you don't usually see a crocodile in your lounge room," she said.
"I don't know if he was stalking the dog or he was just trying to get to the saltwater, most likely, but it was really a very surreal moment," she was quoted as saying by ABC News.
Wildlife rangers were soon summoned and they captured the intruder.
Wildlife rangers say the crocodile may have been pushed out of his normal surroundings by a larger animal.
The Crocodile Management Unit's Dani Best says it is not uncommon for crocodiles to enter suburban areas at this time of the year.
She says male crocodiles are jostling for territory at this time of the year, and some find themselves pushed out.
"Being the peak season, you see a substantial increase in the activity and movement of crocodiles, particularly around the rural area," she said.
"At this time of the year, male crocodiles are very aggressive with one another and small males can easily get pushed out.
"This incident serves as a reminder for people to remain croc wise and take caution in and around waterways," she said.
The family living in Bees Creek in the Northern Territory woke up early yesterday morning to their dog's barking and went to investigate.
They discovered that a saltwater crocodile had wandered into a living area which is partly open to the surrounding bush.
Jo Dodd says she got a fright when she discovered the crocodile in her house.
"It was the most freakiest thing - you don't usually see a crocodile in your lounge room," she said.
"I don't know if he was stalking the dog or he was just trying to get to the saltwater, most likely, but it was really a very surreal moment," she was quoted as saying by ABC News.
Wildlife rangers were soon summoned and they captured the intruder.
Wildlife rangers say the crocodile may have been pushed out of his normal surroundings by a larger animal.
The Crocodile Management Unit's Dani Best says it is not uncommon for crocodiles to enter suburban areas at this time of the year.
She says male crocodiles are jostling for territory at this time of the year, and some find themselves pushed out.
"Being the peak season, you see a substantial increase in the activity and movement of crocodiles, particularly around the rural area," she said.
"At this time of the year, male crocodiles are very aggressive with one another and small males can easily get pushed out.
"This incident serves as a reminder for people to remain croc wise and take caution in and around waterways," she said.
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