Malcolm Douglas Crocodile Park - Broome

Mal, as he was known, was a bush character, ex croc hunter, dingo shooter, and more, who was famous for his many wildlife documentaries. Sadly, in 2010, he died from a freak car accident in the Croc Park, when he got pinned and run over by his 4wd.

 

 

Highlight of our visit is a feeding tour of the crocs with Sam, who now manages the farm.

We start with a session holding baby crocs with nose wraps so they can't sever fingers with their needle sharp teeth. One comment on the Internet jokes how the Park is delightfully held in a 1970s health and safety timewarp. Sam warns that kids are like chicken mcnugget size for crocs, so parents need to keep them from harm.

 

 

The main lake contains 70 male and female crocs in a tight community which was an experiment by Mal to breed all 70 from scratch and keep them together. Now 24 years old, the group tolerates its own, but would instantly kill any croc introduced from outside.

Feeding of the group starts with males first, then smaller females. The water in the enclosures is covered with green slime that makes a guacamole dip for the crocs who snap and tussle. Just a couple of weeks ago, a visitor got video footage of a croc having its leg torn off by another.

 

Whilst feeding the American alligators, Sam recounts how a month ago, one large male alligator jumped the fenced feeding jetty and cornered him. Thinking fast, Sam ditched the idea of diving off and swimming, then threw a chicken into the alligator's mouth and used the distraction to vault over the beast's back and escape. That same afternoon, Sam raised the feeding jetty fence by another metre!