Ngukurr, Featherdale Wildlife park’s 4.5 metre saltwater crocodile has this week emerged back into the limelight in time for the school holidays following a long fasting period.
During winter, Ngukurr is in an inactive state, as his metabolism is not active enough to digest frequent meals. Often mistaken as cold-blooded, saltwater crocodiles are ectothermic, which means their body temperature is dependent on heat.
Captured along the banks of the Roper River, Ngukurr is named after the Northern Territory town he was found in.
Ngukurr spent his early years terrorising the local livestock, until he was captured and placed in a crocodile farm where he continued his rampage by attacking a number of female crocodiles.
He was facing a bleak future until he was brought to Featherdale Wildlife Park in 1992.
Visitors have since been awed by Ngukurr’s sheer size and fearsome reputation.
‘‘If he is feeling particularly hungry and there’s a peacock or Egret in there, they have to watch out,’’ marketing manager Kellie Ames said.
‘‘He appears deceptively slow, but he really isn’t. We did a first feed a couple of years ago and he got this chook and he just launched into a twist and smashed it into the ground.’’
Visitors can also meet Featherdale’s two week old emu chicks: Larry, Moe, and Curly.
‘‘Emus are such an iconic Australian animal and they are always popular with audiences’’, Ms Ames said.
‘‘The fact that they appear on the Australian Coat of Arms is testimony to their impact on Australians.’’
Featherdale Wildlife Park is open 9am-5pm daily at 217 Kildare Road, Doonside.
