Crocosaurus Cove: Into the jaws of death

 

Face to snout – one strike and you’re out.

Pamela Wright takes a dip with a movie star: Burt the crocodile.

In Darwin’s city centre, thrillseekers are gathering to take on enormous crocodiles at face value. A large acrylic cage, carrying up to two swimmers, is lowered from an overhead monorail into any of four separate crocodile enclosures for a 15 minute dive encounter with the likes of Chopper. At 80, he’s the largest at Crocosaurus Cove weighing in at 790 kilograms. Now missing both front feet lost in fights, he was rescued from a nearby cattle station having refused opportunities to behave.

Holding a cute, baby crocodile and smiling at it adoringly is immeasurably different to connecting with the most ferocious looking creature on earth. As the Cage of Death brochure says, “Pleased to eat you.”

The three metre, transparent tank is filled with water, leaving enough air up top for breathing when lowered into the croc’s domain.

So, with this relatively new (opened 2008) and popular attraction, it’s time to invite you to meet some of my new found friends up close and personal.

A small group of spectators gather to watch the two adventurers, clad only in bathing costumes, poised for entry into the croc pools. We’ve heard the safety briefing and signed the indemnity release forms. “Knock on the cage walls to attract his attention.” says the park warden as he assists us into the heavily scratched cage. Was this monstrous looking beast cranky, hungry or both?

After hammering away on the cage wall to stir up the lazy, disinterested ‘dinosaur’ we go above water for an overdue breath but little did we know, the big fella croc likes the look of dangling feet and heads on over. We go back under to try again and are greeted by this huge bugger rubbing his belly on the cage right in front of our eyes. This was Burt, 5.1 metres long and a mere 700 kgs, the star in Crocodile Dundee with Paul Hogan and described as ‘the movie star with attitude and a reputation with the ladies’.

Finally coming snout to face with Burt was a reminder of Peter Pan’s.

“Never smile at a crocodile

No, you can't get friendly with a crocodile

Don't be taken in by his welcome grin

He's imagining how well you'd fit within his skin”

Keep your cool and just grin back.

Darwin lays claim to more crocodiles than any other city in the world - many of them at Crocosaurus Cove. The three storey venue occupies an entire block and shows off crocs from three months to 80 years old.

The reptile meeting place has goannas, lizards, geckos, turtles, frogs, rare pythons and venomous snakes all vying for attention. Next door, metre long barramundi ravenously gorge on irresistible tit bits offered by professional divers during the daily ‘barra’ feeding in the 200,000 litre aquarium.

At the ‘fishing for crocs’ pool, there are so many juveniles, it becomes a moshpit where the food is. These little crocs, that you’d think incapable of leaping that far out of the water, use their powerful tails to propel themselves from the tank to go after the blood dripping bit of meat dangling at the end of a long pole above them. Each one claws past his scaley brethren to gain prime pouncing position, creating a chaotic scene. “Thank heavens for the reinforced plastic walls and the fact that they’re only youngens” says an excited onlooker. The croc keeper knows the rowdy ones and stirs them up with his bare hands (which on closer inspection are riddled with scars). Suddenly, out of the corner, shoots this mischievous little croc, barely missing the top of the barricade. It was so close, even the keeper gulps.

But, we were assured, Crocosaurus Cove has the perfect safety record of 100 per cent. Believe me!

AT Verdict

Pamela Wright took son Jeremy to experience Crocosaurus Cove, highlighted by the Cage of Death, a perfect opportunity to get face to snout with these pre-historic creatures. Lots of fun with undivided attention from undecided onlookers.

The Details:

Where: 58 Mitchell Street in Darwin’s city centre.

Opening hours: Daily from 9am until 6pm - except for Christmas Day

Notes:

Cost: Fifteen minutes in the Cage of Death costs $150 per person or $110 each for two people which includes general, full day entry to all attractions including the world’s largest display of Australian reptiles – fishing for juvenile crocs eager to leap for fresh buffalo meat – holding baby crocodiles – twice daily croc feeding and the bite force exhibit.

(NB: Cage minimum age is 15 years of age. Children 15-17 years must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or older.)

Contact: Tel (08) 8981 7522

www.croccove.com