Crocodile and shark stray into pools, surprising Aussie swimmers
Splash-happy Australians got more than they bargained for this week after a crocodile and a shark were both spotted swimming laps in two separate swimming pool incidents. Watch the video
READING LEVEL: GREEN
Would you jump in a pool with a shark? Or take a splash with a baby croc? That’s the choice several Aussie swimmers found themselves making this week after both a shark and a crocodile were spotted swimming laps at opposite ends of the country.
The latest Sydney shark scare was really more a surprise, after a dusky whaler* was seen inside a netted swimming pool at Manly on Wednesday morning.
Startled swimmers spotted the 1.2m shark in the harbour pool along West Esplanade in Manly Cove, just west of Manly Wharf, at about 10am.
Northern Beaches Council was alerted and immediately put up a “shark sighted” sign on the popular beach.
But more than a dozen swimmers still took to the water despite sharing the pool with the 1.2m shark.
Manly local Frank Topham, who regularly does laps in the pool, said he was not concerned.
“If you leave it alone, it will leave you alone,” Mr Topham said.
Tom, a tourist visiting from Cyprus, swam over the top of the shark.
“It looked a bit stressed and maybe a bit sick,” Tom said.
“It was just swimming up and down the edge of the net, looking for a way out.”
Council workers inspected the net but no holes were found.
The Manly Cove sighting came as the ocean beach at nearby Queenscliff was closed as multiple sharks were seen off Queenscliff Headland.
The Department of Primary Industries advised it was safe to swim in the Manly pool.
Harbour pool contractors were called in to lift up a section of the netting to allow the shark to escape and the shark was released safely about 1.30pm on Wednesday.
CROCODILE TAKES A SPLASH
Earlier in the week, staff at a Northern Territory campground about 28km from Katherine also copped quite a surprise when a tiny crocodile was found taking a dip in their pool.
A few guests at Nitmiluk Gorge* Caravan Park were about to take the plunge at 4pm on Monday 9 February, when they realised a snappy visitor had beaten them to it.
The baby crocodile was immediately reported to rangers from Parks and Wildlife, who arrived on site within 10 minutes to interrupt the youngster’s dip in the Nitmiluk Jatti Pool.
Reservation team leader Gabriela Nogueira was onsite at the time and said news quickly spread about the scaly visitor.
“I went to check it out because I couldn’t believe it,” she said.
Once the two rangers had wrangled* the croc and got it under control, the expert croc handlers offered guests and staff the chance to try holding it – but you should never try to hold or even touch any wild animal, even a baby like this crocodile, unless you have a ranger guiding you or you are in a controlled environment, like a wildlife park, and touching is allowed as part of the experience.
For Ms Nogueira, who has worked at the campground for two years, it was her first time holding a croc.
“It’s very curious because the belly is very soft but at the same time the back is like leather,” she said. “That was a funny experience.”
Staff said it was the first time a crocodile had ventured into the pool. The last crocodile that got close did not get further than the road.
But with recent flooding in the area, Ms Nogueira said they thought the crocodile simply got a bit lost.
“We had a lot of flooding here a couple of weeks ago which lasted until Thursday last week,” Ms Nogueira said.
“We believe that with the flooding, the croc came walking and crawling through the local rivers. We couldn’t believe it.
“The swimming pool is quite far from the main river, so we believe as he is so tiny, he probably took some days to find this spot.”
Staff said “see ya later” to the tiny crocodile as rangers took it away and released the reptile in a “safe spot” to help nudge it into safer waters.
The croc’s surprising visit has already become woven into the camp’s history.
“It was definitely something remarkable for the staff that work here,” Ms Nogueira said.
“We don’t get the chance to see this in the Dry Season* so it was very special.
“It’s a good story to tell for the people coming here for the peak season*.”
WATCH THE VIDEO
We are addressing a technical problem. Video will be restored as soon as possible.
POLL
GLOSSARY
- dusky whaler: a large grey-brown shark that feeds on bony fish and other sharks. Few attacks on humans have been recorded but they could still pose a threat because of their size
- Nitmiluk Gorge: a 13 gorge system carved by the Katherine River in the Northern Territory about 30km northeast of Katherine
- wrangled: captured
- Dry Season: from May to October in Northern Territory the days are warm and sunny with low humidity, little to no rain and cool nights
- peak season: the time when they have the most tourists visiting
EXTRA READING
Wait, what? You can keep a croc?!
Crocs in swimming pool surprise
Airport crocs for game travellers
QUICK QUIZ
1. How did staff member Ms Nogueira describe what a crocodile feels like to hold?
2. What possible reasons led to the crocodile taking a swim in the campground pool?
3. How long do staff believe it would have taken the croc to find the pool?
4. How was the baby croc caught?
5. How far did the last crocodile who came close to the campground get?
LISTEN TO THIS STORY
CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. Most dangerous?
Which is more dangerous in the water – sharks or crocodiles? Give at least three convincing reasons for you answer.
Time: allow at least 15 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Science
2. Extension
What are the five most interesting features of, or facts about, crocodiles? Use your research skills to find out as many amazing things about them. Then write down your top five. Give specific reasons why you chose each fact.
Time: allow at least 30 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links English, Science
VCOP ACTIVITY
Imaginative dialogue
Imagine you were there during the event being discussed in the article, or for the interview.
Create a conversation between two characters from the article – you may need or want to include yourself as one of the characters. Don’t forget to try to use facts and details from the article to help make your dialogue as realistic as possible.
Go through your writing and highlight any punctuation you have used in green. Make sure you carefully check the punctuation used for the dialogue and ensure you have opened and closed the speaking in the correct places.