OK, who's going to take away his lawnmower this time? Grumpy crocodile steals machines from park keepers to play with in pool

By ANTHONY BOND





Grumpy: Elvis the crocodile decides to steal a lawnmower off a worker at the Australian Reptile Park



They are among the most fearsome creatures around, often attempting to eat humans and large wild animals.

But workers at a reptile park in Australia were left amazed today when its grumpiest crocodile decided to steal a lawnmower.

Employees at the Australian Reptile Park, north of Sydney, realised something was wrong when they heard one of the keepers let out a yelp.



'It's mine': Elvis takes his new toy into his lagoon and keeps guard of it



When they looked up they saw 16-foot giant saltwater crocodile Elvis lunging out of his lagoon at reptile keeper Billy Collett, who attempted to ward off the huge crocodile with his lawnmower.

Tim Faulkner, operations manager at the park, said: 'Before we knew it, the croc had the mower above his head. He got his jaws around the top of the mower and picked it up and took it underwater with him.'



Interest: Visitors soon gather in amazement to see Elvis next to his new lawnmower



Elvis then kept guard over his new toy, making it clear that it would not be wise for anybody to retrieve it.

Eventually, Mr Faulkner realised he had no other choice but to go back in after the mower.



Rescue: Reptile keeper Billy Collett feeds Elvis following the daring rescue attempt for the lawnmower



Back to normal: The lawnmower is safely back in the possession of the park keepers, with a grumpy-looking Elvis watching on



Lost items: Australian Reptile Park operations manager Tim Faulkner, left, and reptile keeper Billy Collett with Elvis the crocodiles teeth, which were lost after Elvis bit into the lawnmower



Despite having to give up the lawn mower, Elvis was clearly pleased with himself, Mr Faulkner said.

'He's beaten us today ... he's kingpin. He's going to be walking around with his chest puffed out all day.'

As for the staff at the reptile park?

'I can't lie, the bosses are not going to be happy about the cost of a new lawn mower,' Mr Faulkner said with a laugh.



source: dailymail