The Australian Reptile Park’s social media lit up on April 1 when an April Fool’s Day joke went viral.
“In a dangerous and deadly world-first, the Australian Reptile Park is excited to announce that they have done what everyone said they could not do; they took the infamous Elvis the giant Saltwater Crocodile down to Terrigal Beach for enrichment!” the post read.
“Families, including young children, watched on in amazement as the 4.5 metre predator splashed around in the shallows and caught a few waves alongside local surfers.
“Elvis gained world-wide attention in 2011 when he stole his keeper’s lawnmower, earning him the title of ‘Australia’s Crankiest Crocodile’.
“Since then, many of Elvis’s videos find themselves going viral and he has become loved all over the world.
“Although 55, Elvis still is one handsome crocodile with all of his limbs and teeth and is often called the ‘George Clooney’ of the Crocodile world.”
Although the post went viral, people were not taken in by the ruse, even though Park Director, Tim Faulkner, added fuel to the fire by saying it should have been done sooner.
Responses on the Facebook post described the stunt as “the best April Fool’s joke ever” with one person even suggesting taking Elvis to the beach could be a good shark deterrent!
Terry Collins