NSW: Crocodile visit to south coast campsite
30 Dec 2008 12:53 PM
SYDNEY, Dec 30 AAP - Campers enjoying a break on NSW's south coast have been confronted by a saltwater crocodile a long way from home wandering near their tents.
The 1.5-metre crocodile was discovered walking around a scout camp on Arthur Kaine Drive at Pambula about 5pm (AEDT) on Monday, police said.
No scouts were at the camp at the time, but a number of people were using the site.
Officers arrived to find the carnivorous reptile being restrained by campers under the guidance of a Wildlife Information Rescue and Education Service (WIRES) volunteer.
"The reptile was loaded onto a trailer and taken to a WIRES carer in Bega," police said in a statement on Tuesday.
"While there are no scouts staying at the camp at this time, about 20 people are camping at the site."
Police are unsure where the reptile came from, with no people in the local area licensed to keep crocodiles.
"National Parks and Wildlife Services officers have told police it is highly unlikely the crocodile made its own way to Pambula," police said.
Authorities are now trying to track down the owner of the crocodile, typically native to the tropical northern Australian coastline.
