Newcastle Residents Launch DIY Crocodile Capture Mission in Local Creek
In an unusual turn of events for the Newcastle region, a group of local residents took crocodile capture into their own hands after police were called to a Wallsend creek following sightings of the reptile. The incident unfolded over the weekend, sparking both concern and curiosity in the community.
Makeshift Bait and Northern Experience
Tjay Lane, a 22-year-old with previous crocodile handling experience from growing up in the Northern Territory and Cairns, led the amateur capture attempt. "I just woke up this morning and thought it was a good day to go put a steak in the water and try and catch a crocodile," Lane explained to reporters on Sunday afternoon.
Armed with rope and a rump steak tied to a tree near Federal Park in Wallsend, Lane and his group waited patiently for the elusive reptile to appear. "This is definitely not my first rodeo," he confidently stated, referring to his previous crocodile encounters with his father.
Police Response and Professional Involvement
The situation began on Saturday afternoon when police were called to the creek around 4:30pm after reports of a small crocodile sighting. Officers established a perimeter around the pond to prevent the animal from escaping before handing over operations to the Australian Reptile Park on Sunday morning.
Australian Reptile Park zookeeper Logan Graff revealed that professional handlers had come remarkably close to capturing the crocodile on Saturday night. "We got within a metre of him, but he got spooked just as we were about to jump," Graff told the Newcastle Herald.
Capture Strategy and Local Reactions
Lane described his group's simple yet daring capture plan: "We were hoping that when the crocodile grabbed the rope, it would wrap itself in it while doing a death roll and then we would try to jump on it." Their intention was to then tie up the animal and call authorities to take control.
The Newcastle resident expressed surprise at finding a crocodile in Wallsend but noted the area's reputation for unusual occurrences. "Honestly, it doesn't surprise me that there's a crocodile in Wallsend," Lane remarked. "Everything seems to happen around here, it's like the Florida of Australia."
Size Confusion and Continued Search
Initial reports suggested there might be as many as three crocodiles in the creek, with one resident who regularly fishes in the area claiming to have seen:
- One larger crocodile estimated at over a metre long
- A second crocodile around a metre in length
- A third juvenile crocodile
However, Australian Reptile Park zookeepers confirmed only one crocodile had been sighted during their searches on Saturday night and Sunday morning. Mr. Graff estimated the animal to be less than a metre long.
By Sunday afternoon, neither the professional zookeepers nor Lane's group had successfully captured the crocodile. Lane indicated his group might return on Sunday night with torches if the reptile remained at large, while the Australian Reptile Park was expected to provide updates on their search mission.
The incident highlights the unusual wildlife challenges facing urban areas and the community's mixed responses, ranging from professional intervention to grassroots capture attempts.
