Croc Sightings in NSW Creek, Experts Suspect Illegal Release

0:00It's March 1st. Here's your Sydney news in two minutes. Several small freshwater crocodiles have shown up in Iron Bar Creek near Wal-Send in New South Wales Hunter region. Locals first spotted the juveniles on Saturday afternoon along a popular walking track, West of Newcastle. Rangers from the Australian Reptile Park rushed over from the central coast to track them down. A local teen out with a friend noticed five of the crocs in the water. They tossed a stick nearby and washed one move confirming it was real. His mom was skeptical at first and even called wildlife groups who asked for photos and videos to believe it. Word spread fast on social media, drawing dozens of onlookers to the creek banks by Sunday. Rescue teams urged people to steer clear. Warning that crowds and grown objects scare the crocs into hiding underwater for long stretches. Experts from Hunter Wildlife Rescue suspect the animals were illegally brought south from Queensland. They figure someone released them into the local waterway once they grew too big to handle.

1:02Rangers continue searching the area as the cross can stay submerged for extended periods. Officials say avoiding the spot helps boost the chances of safely capturing them. Thanks to our sponsor for supporting today's coverage. If sleep podcasts are your thing, this is your pillow. Built for comfort and calm. S-O-L-L-I SoliPelow dot com S-O-L-L-I SoliPelow dot com.