Crocs are for wusses

[lederhosen]

SMH story: thieves broke into a Rockhampton zoo and tried to steal a koala. But the koala proved to be too vicious for them, so they stole a 40-kg crocodile instead and climbed a 2.4-metre fence with it.

(Those with more than a passing familiarity with koalas may be aware that this isn't as silly as it sounds. The thieves were caught, but the crocodile is still missing, having been traded for drugs.)

Comments

[alchemon.livejournal.com]

"I don't know what makes someone go, 'Oh we tried to steal a koala and that didn't work so lets go and steal a croc.'"

I'm guessing lots of beer and/or drugs.

[velvetink.livejournal.com]

as far as vicious aussie animals go, I'd rate cockatoos no.1. and koala's 2nd.

[sclerotic-rings.livejournal.com]

Yep, that sounds about right. Cute and cuddly, my ass.

[manna]

I'm just struggling with idea that you *could* trade a 40kg crocodile for drugs.

[lederhosen.livejournal.com]

Phase 1: Kidnap koala! (or crocodile)
Phase 2: ...
Phase 3: Profit!

[corruptedjasper.livejournal.com]

I think they accidentally got a drop bear instead.

[torin3.livejournal.com]

Soo....I'm not alone in having always assumed the cute and cuddly koalas I saw on TV talk/interview shows had been dosed with thorazine first?

[lederhosen.livejournal.com]

A lot of zoos do produce koalas that will put up with handling and gentle petting; it's a good way to draw the tourists, especially the Japanese trade, which is a big earner here. But it's not their natural behaviour, and I wouldn't like to pick up even the tamest of them without a trained handler around to make sure it didn't get excited.

Also, being nocturnal, they're presumably quieter in the daytime, when most of the handling happens, than at 4 am when the theft took place.