Two teenage boys have been accused of breaking into a zoo and attacking a 63st crocodile with a metal pole.
Police said that the boys, aged 16 and 17, allegedly entered the zoo at around 7.15pm on Sunday (September 13). They are said to have cut the locks to the enclosure in Perth, Australia which was home to a 40-year-old saltwater named Dangalabba.
The pair hit the croc with a metal pole, it is claimed. A police spokesman said: “CCTV cameras inside the enclosure captured the pair before it is alleged the males damaged both cameras by removing them from the wall.”
The enclosure© perthzoo.wa.gov.au
The pair were later seen on CCTV riding staff pushbikes around the zoo, reports claim. The incident was reported to police the following morning. The reptile suffered minor injuries and is being monitored by the veterinary team.
Police launched an investigation and attended separate addresses in Baldivis and Belmont on Monday, where both teenagers were taken into custody.
They have since been charged with two counts of criminal damage or destruction of property, one count of trespass and one count of animal cruelty. The pair have appeared in court.
The zoo issued a statement© perthzoo.wa.gov.au
A spokesman for Perth Zoo has slammed the behaviour of the two boys as “reckless” and said it, “easily could have resulted in tragic consequences”. The zoo added that it was ‘deeply disappointed’ by the incident.
The spokesman added: “Any unlawful intrusion into animal habitats places the welfare of our animals, as well as the safety of individuals, at risk.”
A range of security measures has been put in place across the site, including physical controls, surveillance systems and after-hours monitoring, the zoo said. It is reviewing the incident.
Western Australia’s police minister Reece Whitby said he could not believe anyone would “take on a croc”. The magistrate overseeing the case described the charges as “serious” and “unique”.
One of the boys was granted bail and is due to appear in court again on October 6. The other boy was remanded in custody until a bail application hearing on September 18.
