Cut! Elvis the testosterone croc silences the mower
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Australia’s saltwater crocodiles are notoriously fond of human flesh. But yesterday it was a lawnmower that took the fancy of Elvis, a 16-foot croc living in a reptile park north of Sydney.
While three staff were busy tending the lawn in Elvis’s enclosure, he lunged at them and grabbed the mower in his jaws. He then dragged it into his lagoon and sat there all morning, guarding it closely. Tim Faulkner, the park’s operations manager, eventually decided to perform a rescue.
As Billy Collett, the reptile keeper, lured Elvis to the other end of the lagoon with a plate of raw kangaroo meat, Mr Faulkner dove in. While under water, he also recovered two 3-inch teeth which the reptile lost in its encounter with the mower. “They clog up the filter system,” he explained later.
Elvis, who weighs 1,100 pounds, was captured in Darwin harbour, where he had been attacking fishing boats. He was taken to a crocodile farm, where he killed two crocodile girlfriends. He moved to the reptile park in 2008.
The mower was damaged beyond repair, with puncture marks and a torn throttle. The staff were relieved to escape unharmed. “He’s a real firecracker,” Mr Faulkner said.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments