Small saltie captured in Mataranka

Mataranka Police were attending a disturbance in the street when they located staff members from Roper Gulf Regional Council attempting to capture a small saltwater crocodile in a residential yard.

With the assistance of police, the animal was captured and safely conveyed to Northern Territory Parks and Wildlife rangers.

The small (but very cranky) croc was later handed over to the wildlife specialist team in Katherine, police said.

It is unknown at this stage whether the crocodile was being kept unlawfully and made a hasty escape, however Northern Territory Police would like to remind the public that it is an offence to keep a crocodile in captivity without a permit.