The Croc Tent’s crocodile is looking a bit worse for wear after being stolen as part of a drunken prank by local contractors last week. Photo: Supplied.
He is bruised, battered and missing two legs, but the Croc Tent’s beloved mascot has been returned home after being targeted by thieves last week.
The replica saltwater crocodile is a must-see and photo favourite for tourists visiting the iconic Northern Peninsula Area (NPA) business, but he caused a panic on 28 July when Croc Tent staff awoke to find him missing from his holding cage.
Cape York Weekly understands from multiple sources the alleged thieves took the crocodile as part of a drunken dare, and Croc Tent owner Lea Webb said they had been caught red-handed on the business’ CCTV system.
“The croc has had a few-night expedition,” she said after the crocodile was returned.
“The people who stole him were local contractors, and, whilst we had them on video footage, we didn’t want to oust them publicly; we wanted to give them the opportunity to come and apologise and do what was right, and they did – they came back and apologised and they were completely regretful for their silly behaviour.”
Ms Webb said the business had been inundated with inquiries about the crocodile’s wellbeing and return, adding she wanted to make it clear locals or visiting southerners were not responsible for the theft.
“There is an issue at the moment where we haven’t had a whole lot of great contractors in community,” she said.
“It was local contractors – it was not locals and it was not tourists.”
The croc-nappers broke into the cage homing the Croc Tent mascot. Photo: Supplied.
