Against the odds, one of the two juvenile crocodiles that went missing from the educational mobile zoo at Sandy Point early last month has been recaptured.
A Peakhurst man channelled his inner Steve Irwin during a daring rescue on Sunday afternoon.
Aaron Hughes was taking a afternoon walk along Salt Pan Creek with his family when he spotted a freshwater crocodile sunning itself.
It was only later that he realised the croc was one that had gone missing from a nearby wildlife park on March 3.
It was one of two juvenile freshwater crocodiles to go missing from the Get Wild Animal Experiences mobile zoo at Sandy Point.
The two crocodiles, named Snap and Crackle, had apparently been taken from their enclosure, with no signs of forced entry.
Speaking to ABC Radio Mr Hughes said he took some inspiration from Steve Irwin during the rescue.
"As we've all done, we've seen Steve Irwin and the Crocodile Hunter, we thought we were well-versed in maybe coming up behind it and grabbing it as it wasn't really moving too quickly, so that's what we did,’’ he said.
The family notified the owners and kept the crocodile safe in their bath until St George police arrived.
Get Wild Animal Experiences confirmed the good news on its Facebook page.
‘’We are beyond happy and would like to thank Aaron who contacted us and Kogarah police for assisting in this matter,’’ the post said.
‘’He is very cold, thin and lethargic but we are hoping with some TLC he will be back to normal in no time.’’
