Three-meter reptile

Crocodile terrorized town and ended up in the cooking pot

The saltwater crocodile was shot and ended up in the cooking pot (small picture).(Bild: AFP/AFP, NT Police)

In northern Australia, a saltwater crocodile terrorized a remote community and repeatedly snapped at children before it was finally eaten at a feast.

The approximately 3.60-meter-long animal lurked in the water, then stalked and tried to attack children and adults, the Northern Territory police said. Numerous dogs in the community had also fallen victim to the reptile.

Crocodile killed and prepared as a feast
After discussions with the elders and landowners in the village of Bulla, the crocodile was then shot on Tuesday and, according to police, prepared "in the traditional way for a feast". Police officer Andrew McBride told Australian broadcaster ABC: "I believe it was made into a crocodile tail soup, barbecued and a few pieces were cooked underground wrapped in banana leaves."

Police believe the crocodile had wandered into the river near the inhabited area during the floods earlier this year. The community is about a six-hour drive from the city of Darwin.