Croc gang chomps up rival
IT’S a croc eat croc world out on the Adelaide River and a Territory showdown took place between some of the river’s most famous crocs and a couple of gutsy rogues.
One unlucky saltie became the dinner of three large crocs who death rolled and tore apart the rotting carcass.
The Spectacular Jumping Crocodile Cruise guests were privy to the rare sight on Wednesday when the crocs chomped into the 4m saltie.
Andrew and Claire Betteridge and their family hail from England and said they got more than they bargained for when they went for the cruise on Wednesday.
Their two young daughters, and Ms Betteridge’s parents Linda and Tony Beighton were gobsmacked as three 4m-5m salties tore apart the croc.
“The smell, it was awful,” Mr Betteridge said.
They sat there for 20 minutes watching the crocs death roll, tear and parade the carcass around.
“They (the usual jumping crocs) wouldn’t take the bait, the guide said they were too shy, and could sense that something was happening,” Mr Beighton said.
The skipper, Matthew Reygate said it was unusual for a group of crocs to share their lunch like that.
He didn’t recognise any of the crocs from the group.
But salties – Stumpy, Wokeye and Knuckles – are big enough to take on the most dominant crocs on that stretch of the Adelaide River.
“All our males have disappeared so they might come back out when they feel safe,” Mr Reygate said.
“It was quite a sight to see them doing death rolls, ripping limbs off.”
Mr Reygate said the croc had been dead for a long time as it was very bloated and smelt terrible when it was torn apart.