Massive crocodile taken to Steve Irwin’s Australia Zoo despite traditional owners’ anger over removal

<p>Old Faithful, measuring more than 4 metres, rehomed to Sunshine Coast facility after removal from far north Queensland waterhole</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2025/nov/03/australia-politics-live-nationals-net-zero-liberals-labor-bulk-billing-optus-sussan-ley-anthony-albanese-question-time">Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates</a></p></li><li><p>Get our <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters?CMP=cvau_sfl">breaking news email</a>, <a href="https://app.adjust.com/w4u7jx3">free app</a> or <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/series/full-story?CMP=cvau_sfl">daily news podcast</a></p></li></ul><p>An <a href="https://www.detsi.qld.gov.au/our-department/news-media/mediareleases/large-crocodile-rehomed-to-australia-zoo">“iconic” saltwater crocodile</a> has been transported more than 1,600km to Australia Zoo – made famous by Steve Irwin – almost two months after its <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/oct/11/old-faithful-crocodile-wrongfully-arrested-queensland-rinyirru-aboriginal-corporation-says">controversial removal from its far north Queensland habitat</a>.</p><p>But while the Sunshine Coast zoo said it was proud to become the “forever home” of <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/sep/28/legal-fight-to-free-old-faithful-crocodile-in-captivity-queensland">Old Faithful</a>, as the crocodile that measures longer than 4 metres is known, traditional owners said they were “very upset” by the outcome, which conservationists describe as a “cover-up”.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/nov/03/crocodile-steve-irwin-australia-zoo-traditional-owners-anger-old-faithful">Continue reading...</a>

Read the full article at: The Guardian World →