March 31 (UPI) – A pair of Queensland, Australia, scratched their heads when they encountered freshwater crocodiles that were miles from the animal’s nearest natural habitat.
Zane Hemmings found a crocodile on a street in Mudgeeraba, the Gold Coast suburb, and reminded his friend Lachlan Sainsbury, who initially thought another man was watching the lizard, confused.
These men caught on-site reptiles and warned of the environment, tourism, science and innovation.
“Freshwater crocodiles are native to Queensland, but their natural habitat is located in rural areas in central, western and northwest of Queensland,” a department spokesman told 7News. “The Gold Coast is not considered a freshwater crocodiles habitat.”
The department said the 2-month-old crocodile could be an escaped pet or an animal that illegally migrated to wild habitat.
The spokesman said the crocodile may end up in a new home in a zoo or rescue farm.
