NSW: Crocodile visit to south coast campsite

AAP General News (Australia)
12-30-2008
NSW: Crocodile visit to south coast campsite

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.

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KEYWORD: CROCODILE

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