Overview
- Australia Zoo confirmed via social media that the famed saltwater crocodile arrived on the Sunshine Coast after a journey of roughly 1,600–2,000 km from Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park.
- The Queensland environment department says the crocodile was removed in September after repeated feeding by people led to escalating behaviour and he was deemed unreleasable.
- Australia Zoo staff said they offered a permanent home to prevent the animal being sent to a crocodile farm, describing the facility as a place for him to live out his life.
- Rinyirru (Lakefield) Aboriginal Corporation chair Alwyn Lyall said Traditional Owners were not notified and called for the crocodile’s return or relocation to a closer on‑Country facility.
- The Environmental Defenders Office, acting for the advocacy group CROC, has sought a formal statement of reasons and alleges the department fast‑tracked the transfer, while officials say icon-crocodile rules required rehoming to a licensed facility.