Headline: RAW VIDEO: Cranky Crocodile Causes Chaos During Enclosure Cleanup
Caption:
A 5-meter-long crocodile got a little too excited during a deep-clean makeover of his enclosure at the Australian Reptile Park.
Elvis, the park’s star crocodile, attacked a pool pump and hose that were draining water from his home. He dragged the equipment underwater, thrashing it violently in his powerful jaws.
Park keepers immediately called Operations Manager Brandon Gifford, fearing Elvis might swallow parts of the pump and harm himself.
With staff and visitors looking on anxiously, Gifford entered the enclosure. After a tense struggle, including poking at Elvis’ mouth and body, Gifford managed to wrest the pump and hose from the crocodile’s deadly grip following a tug-of-war.
One visitor captured part of the dramatic encounter on video and shared it with park staff.
“I didn’t actually know what was going on,” Gifford said. “I was deep into meetings when my team frantically called me. I just thought, ‘Far out, I’ve got to get in there,’ because he could seriously do some harm to himself if he swallows any of the parts.”
Gifford described the incident as "bizarre" but praised his team for their vigilance. “Elvis is the king of the Australian Reptile Park, and if anything goes into his enclosure, he wants a piece of it. He absolutely destroyed the pump, and I’m sure he’s pretty happy with himself right now.”
Weighing 500 kilograms, Elvis has a history of headline-making antics, including a 2011 attempt to devour his keeper’s lawnmower, which earned him the title of Australia’s crankiest crocodile.
As an ambassador for saltwater crocodiles, Elvis plays a vital role in raising awareness about the species. His popularity helps connect people to the importance of these creatures in the environment.
Once hunted to the brink of extinction in Australia, saltwater crocodiles have made a remarkable recovery thanks to legal protections in Queensland, Northern Territory, and Western Australia. Today, they are listed as "least concern" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Keywords: feature,photo feature,photo story,Elvis,crocodile,hose
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