A veteran zookeeper sustained a head injury this week during the capture of Elvis the saltwater crocodile at the Australian Reptile Park for a dental examination and health check.
Crocodile expert and Operations Manager Billy Collett was attempting to restrain the crocodile when the dense, wooden block that was keeping his jaw ajar dislodged and smashed into Collett’s head.
Though momentarily dazed, Collett managed to get himself and the rest of the team out of harm’s way and away from the unrestrained crocodile.
Elvis, known internationally as Australia’s Crankiest Crocodile, had been displaying signs of a dental infection and a tooth had erupted out of the bottom of his jaw.
Having experienced a similar issue in 2022 when three teeth were removed, keepers were on high alert, concerned for the health of the massive saltwater crocodile.
Keepers wrestled with Elvis, enduring his powerful movements to secure ropes around his jaws.
Veterinarians, mindful of anaesthesia risks, administered a muscle relaxant, intensifying the danger for all involved.
This underscored the need for cautious capture and restraint.
Subsequently, a heavy wooden chock was inserted between Elvis’s jaws as keepers bravely held him in place while Director Liz Gabriel cautiously attempted to secure his jaw shut with tape.
It was at this moment, with Collett sitting on top of Elvis, that the colossal reptile gave an enormous thrashing from side to side, with keepers clinging on for dear life.
With these powerful head shakes, Elvis knocked the 5kg, hardwood jaw chock loose, sending it flying into Collett’s head.
“At first, I didn’t even know what had hit me – I was stunned,” Collett said.
“I’ve captured hundreds of large crocodiles over the years, but I have never felt anything like the power Elvis displayed when he started thrashing like that.
“I didn’t comprehend what had hit me in the head until I opened my eyes and saw that his jaws were unrestrained.
“At that moment, I knew I had to get myself and the team out of there immediately.
“The whole thing was over in less than 15 seconds, but it felt like an eternity.
“I’m so thankful to the team for reacting as quickly as they did and that we all came out in once piece.
“I had a pretty decent bump on my head after, but surely that’s the best-case scenario when you’re dealing with a half-ton croc.”
After a brief reset and additional muscle relaxant, keepers successfully restrained Elvis.
After x-raying the gigantic reptile, vets discovered a problematic tooth requiring immediate removal.
The croc was found to be otherwise in good health.
Elvis came to The Australian Reptile Park in 2007 from the Northern Territory where he was causing havoc to fisherman’s boats in Darwin Harbour.
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