Saltwater crocodile escaped and recaptured at Billabong Sanctuary

Billabong Sanctuary, an 11-hectare wildlife sanctuary located 17 kilometres south of Townsville, advised that following his escape over the weekend from the Sanctuary, Dynamo a 3.8 metre saltwater crocodile was recaptured and returned to his enclosure.

Bob Flemming General Manager Billabong Sanctuary released the following statement:

“At 10:30 am today Saturday 4th February, Dynamo a 3.8 metre crocodile trapped by the Dept. of Environment and Heritage at Althaus Creek, near Saunders beach in September 2021, bashed his way out through the lower part of a gate designed for vehicle access.  Dynamo was sighted outside a nearby crocodile enclosure by a Billabong staff member

“The Emergency Escape Plan was activated.  A thorough search of the park was conducted to ensure all customers were evacuated through the front entrance.

“Dynamo, at this stage, had made his way to the nearby edge of the billabong and was enticed out of the water with food, jaw roped, dragged out of the water and strapped to a board.  He was restrained on the board until the gate was repaired and reinforced.  The crocodile was returned to his enclosure and the park was reopened by 2:30 pm.  Refunds were made when requested.

“A debriefing was conducted with the staff by the Curator, Ray Stephens. Billabong staff working as a team resulted in a fast capture of the animal.  No members of the public or Billabong staff were injured.  I have nothing but praise for the staff who acted in a professional manner at all times.

Wildlife curator Ray Stephens said the 30-year-old reptile had "bashed" his way through a gate that had recently been installed in the enclosure sharing "he decided he would go for an explore, then he decided he would try to attack another one of our crocodiles.

"They were basically growling at each other through the fence."

Stephens told the ABC the troublesome gate the crocodile had broken through had recently been installed by contractors and noted "the mesh that was put on was quite cheap. Even though it was strapped down [Dynamo] has bashed it and basically undone the locking clips. We have fixed that by putting a big sheet of corrugated iron across the bottom. Now he can't even get close."

Dynamo was removed from the wild near Saunders Beach, north of Townsville, in 2021 by the Department of Environment and Science.

Image: Dynamo lives at Billabong Sanctuary after being removed from the wild in north Queensland. Credit: Billabong Sanctuary